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BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



KEV. A. b! EARLE 



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BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY JAMES H. EA: 

No. 96 WASHINGTON ST. 

1868. 



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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 

JAMES H. EARLE, 

In the Clerk's Oflace of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 



Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry, 
No. 19 Spring Lane. 



TO ALL 

WHOSE PRAYER IS, 

"O LORD, Revive Tht WORKi 

STfjts Book 

Is ArrECTioNATEiiT Inscribed 

♦ BY THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE, 



The publication of this volume has been urged upon 
me by ministers and laymen of different denominations, 
for a number of years past, as a duty I owe to the 
cause of Christ. Among the requests for such a work, 
one came to me, some ten years ago, signed by nearly 
two hundred persons. 

But, while I have believed that such a work might be 
useful, it has, until recently, seemed unadvisable for me 
to undertake it, as there appeared to be no way of doing 
so without turning aside from my loved and ajopointed 
work as an evangelist, which I was unwilling to do so 
long as strength was given me to preach to perishing 
men. 

A few months since, however, the way seemed oj^ened : 
My sons, having finished their college course, were in a 
situation, before entering upon their chosen avocations, 
to assist me in preparing the work. Accordingly, when 
they had rested for a season from the fatigue of study, 
and myself from the exhaustion and weariness of my 

(5) 



6 PREFACE. 

Pacific tour, the book was commenced, and has been 
carried forward as rapidly as possible under the circum- 
stances. I have only been able to work on it at inter- 
vals, as I have found here and there a spare hour, until 
my return home in June, for a season of rest from con- 
stant preaching. 

In all the variety of matter and subjects which have 
been presented, the principal aim has been to answer the 
question that Christians are everywhere asking, — " How 
are we to labor the most successfully to promote revivals 
of religion ? " 

I have endeavored clearly to present my own experi- 
ence and observation in revivals ; and in these I think 
will be found the means which God has appointed and 
signally blessed in the quickening of his people and the 
conversion of souls — means which I have always, I 
believe without a single exception, seen blessed to the 
renewing of God's work. 

I have given no system of rules, or set of measures, to 
be used in revivals, as I know of none. 

Perhaps my views can most clearly and fully be 
learned from Chapter L, and the sermons on " Faith," and 
" Joy Restored." 

The chapters of " Revival Gleanings " give some idea 
of the character and results of meetings in which these 
means have been employed, although they come far 
short of the reality. 

Had the accounts of these me^ings been fuller, they, 
perhaps, would have been more satisfactory ; still I trust 
they will not be entirely wanting in interest, and above 
all in power to do good. The selection and arrange- 



PREFACE. 7 

ment of them have not been according to the order of 
time or importance of locality, although, generally, the 
more recent have been mentioned, because they were 
most readily remembered. 

The chapter on the " Rest of Faith," I can but believe 
will, in some measure at least, meet the earnest desire of 
the Christian world in helping believers reach that state 
of union with Christ in which they can more fully honor 
him, and labor with greater success in his cause. 

I submit it to the careful and prayerful consideration 
of all, with the hope that it may prove, as in my own 
case, the balm for wounded hearts and the rest for weary 
souls. 

The book contains " opinions of pastors," and personal 
allusions and letters which would be wholly out of place 
but for the purpose I have had of deepening through 
them the conviction of the need and importance of 
evangelistic labor ; not on my own account, for_ my 
reception and the confidence in me have been all that 
any man could desire, but because I want to see men 
who have the necessary qualifications entering this 
department of ministerial labor. A great field lies open, 
and the demand for laborers is great ; prejudice is rapid- 
ly melting away ; pastors feel that they are in want of 
just such help. 

A few sermons are given because I am so often asked 
for them. Many persons come to me, and say, in refer- 
ence to this or that sermon, " I was greatly benefited by 
it : can I not obtain it ? " 

The book was not designed to tell what I have done : 
far from me be such a folly ; and farther still that of 



8 PREFACE. 

taking to myself credit of results in the accoraplisli- 
ment of which I have only been God's instrument. 

To those who are unknown to me the book comes with 
the hope, deep in my heart, that it may be to them a 
source of comfort and strength; to those with w^hom I 
have been associated it- comes as the letter of a friend, 
filled with tender regard and sympathy, and an earnest 
desire and prayer that they may be rejoiced and blessed 
as they read its pages, — and to all with the hope that, by 
and by, when the battle is fought, and the victory won, 
we may meet in the " better country," and sit down with 
"Christ's whole family," never to part again. O, will 
one be left out ? Will a single reader of this book go 
.away upon the left hand of the Judge, down to the night 
of endless despair ? 

May the messages spoken in weakness be made the 
power of God unto salvation to every one who reads 
these pages ! My earnest prayer is, that the book may 
accomplish its simple purpose, and prove itself a Revival 
Help. 

A. B. Eaele. 

Newton, Mass., August, 1868. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
HOW CAN I BEST PEOMOTE A REVIVAL ? 

PAGE 

Revival begins like Fire. — Often with one Christian. — Chris- 
tian's own Heart. — Definiteness. — Series of Meetings. . 15 

CHAPTER 11. 

FAITH. 

Sermon preached in Fall River, Mass., in 1863 23 

CHAPTER III. 

REVIVAL GLEANINGS. 

Albany. — East Bridgewater, — Chelsea. — Springfield. — 
Cincinnati 38 

CHAPTER IV. 

PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

Seeking Rest. — Finding Work. — St. John. — Burton. — 
Frederickton. — Grand Lake. — Kindness of the People. . 54 

(9) 



10 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

JOY RESTORED. 

Sermon preached in Tabernacle Church, New York, in 1868. . 62 

CHAPTER VI. 

INCIDENTS. 

"Ma, give him my two one-dollars." — "Try it on me." — 
" She will never call me ' Father ' again." 81 

CHAPTER VII. 

REVIVAL GLEANINGS — CONTINUED. 

Amsterdam. — Abington. — Haverhill. — Fall River. — Wash- 
ington. 89 

CHAPTER Vin. 
INCIDENTS. 

Sermon on a Wood-Pile. — " Jesus will take care of me." . . 107 

CHAPTER IX. 

WHY MUST I GIVE UP MY WILL ? 

The Will the Seat of Rebellion against God. — Case of Lady 
in Massachusetts. — Business Man. — Teacher in College. 
— Judge. — "Measures." 117 

CHAPTER X. 

UNPARDONABLE SIN. 

Sermon delivered, Sunday Evening, October 14, 1866, in Union 
Hall, San Francisco, Cal 128 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTER XI. 

FIEEMEN'S MEETING. 

Report from Brooklyn Daily Eagle 145 

CHAPTER XII. 
LETTERS FROM YOUNG CONVERTS^ AND OTHERS. 

Little Sadie. — Family Letter. — Ohio Letter, sent with a pair 
of Socks. — " Would like to be a Minister." — Twenty-five 
Years of "Wandering. — "A Happy New Year." — A Sabbath 
School Class not too young for Jesus. — "Almost Fourscore." 
— *' Part Way up." — A Granddaughter's Request. — Little 
Scolder^ — Grateful Deacon. — From two little Brothers. — 
" In such an Hour you came." — Burdened for Friends. — 
Cannot save ourselves. — " No other Refuge." — The Way 
little Freddie made his Will. — From two little Sisters. — 
" Must work as well as wish." 152 

CHAPTER Xni. 

VERMONT MEETING. 

Origin. — Character. — Influence 167 

CHAPTER XIV. 

COME OVER AND HELP US. 

Elizabeth. — Richmond. — Grand Rapids. — Lynn. — Napa. — 
Vancouver. — Vallejo. — New Hampshire. — Corvallis. — 
Baltimore. — Newport 175 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE OPINION OF PASTORS. 

Geo. B. Ide. — Edward N. Kirk. — Robert TurnbuU. — J. D. 
Clark. — S. D. Phelps. —H. Harvey. —Wm. Hague.— 
Geo. C. Baldwin. — J. R. Kendrick. — Thomas Armitage. — 
Geo. D. Boardman 187 

* CHAPTER XVI. 
TITLE EXAMINED. 

Sermon preached in Tremont Temple, Boston. ...... 202 

CHAPTER XVII. 

EVANGELISTS. — THEIR TRIALS AND JOYS. 

Division of Ministerial Labor. — "Work of the Evangelist. — 
Trials. — Much of the Time away from Home. — Distrust 
and Prejudice. — Necessity of saying *' No." — Parting with 
new-made Friends. — Joys. — Necessity of living near the 
Savior. — Constantly making new Friends. — Immediate 
Results. — Greatest Joy in Reserve 228 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

UNION MEETINGS. 

Consistent with Denominational Differences. — Require ]jo 
Compromise. — Reasons for Confidence in them. — Lead 
Christians to speak more kindly. — Convince Unconverted 
of Reality in Religion. — Gambler. — Physician. — Two 
Instances of such Meetings. — Churches prepared to receive 
Converts. — Spirit moving Denominations 231) 



CONTENTS. 13 

CHAPTER XIX. 
FOUR DAYS' MEETINGS. 

Chester. — Charlestown. — Ogdensburg. — Eairfax. — Bristol. 

— Saxton's River. — Amsterdam 251 

CHAPTER XX. 

REVIVAL GLEANINGS — CONTINUED. 

Boston. — New York City. — Philadelphia. — Lawrence. — 
Dover, Great Ealls, and South Berwick. — Concord. — Bid- 
deford and Saco. — Brooklyn. — Syracuse 269 

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 

Sources. — San Francisco Ministerial Union. — Their Letter. 

— Acceptance. — Farewell Services. — Arrival on the Pa-" 
cific Coast. — Meeting in San Francisco 280 

CHAPTER XXII. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

Sonora and Columbia. — Oakland. — Stockton. — Sacramento. 

— Petaluma. — San Jose. — Santa Clara. — MarysviUe. — 
Placerville 295 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST— CONTINUED. 
Oregon. — Portland. — Oregon City. — Salem 318 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 
Nevada. — Virginia City and Gold Hill. — Carson 331 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

California. — Nevada City. — Grass Valley. — Santa Cruz. — 
Farewell Services. — Return Home 340 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

Retrospect. — Results. — General Features. — Expressions of 
Feeling. — Messages 351 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE REST OF FAITH. 

The Desire. — Testimony. — The Way. — How retained. — 
My own Experience 363 



BRII^GIIfG IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTER I. 

"HOW CAN I BEST PKOMOTE A EEVIVAL?" 

MANY pastors, who have been unable to secure 
the needed help in holding a series of meet- 
ings, write me, requesting an answer to this question : 
" How can I best promote a revival of religion ? " 

Others, with whom I meet, are saying, "It has 
been many years since we have had a revival in our 
town, and I am half discouraged — I know not what 
to do." 

Frequently the remark is made, " Our congre- 
gation is small, and but little interest is manifest in 
the subject of religion ; if you can come, do not be 
in a hurry to leave us — this is a very hard field." 

For these and all other laborers who desire to 
know my views concerning the best means of pro- 
moting revivals of religion, and with whom I can- 

(15) 



16 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

not converse in person, the thoughts, in this brief 
chapter, are specially written. 

A revival of religion, like a fire, must begin 
somewhere : " Behold, how great a matter a little 
fire kindleth ! " 

A fire often begins w ith a little match, and works 
its way through the combustible material about it 
until it has swept over a wide region. The great 
fire in Portland originated with a fire-cracker. So 
a w^ork of grace often commences with a single 
Christian — never with the whole church. As soon 
as that one Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, 
he goes after others, to lead them to the Savior, or 
to induce believers to join him in eflTorts for a re- 
vival. Jesus fulfils his promise, " Lo, I am with 
you ; " and others are soon moved and melted, and 
the work begins to widen. 

So that whoever would promote a revival of re- 
ligion should begin with his own heart, and pray, 
and confess, and believe, until he feels his heart all 
subdued and melted by the Holy Spirit, — until his 
love to Christ is glowing, fervid, burning, — and 
until he finds himself groaning over the lost con- 
dition of men, and, like Jesus, being in an agony, 
prays more earnestly. 

Then, w^hen his heart is in this state, let him gel 
a few, if he cannot many, to join him in special 
prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit. Let that 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. IJ 

little company hold on in united, persistent prayer, 
"nothing wavering," until the windows of heaven 
are opened. 

The disciples at Jerusalem continued in prayer 
about ten days, before they received the promised 
power from on high. It does not appear that the 
meeting, with so many ministers in attendance, 
attracted much attention, until the disciples were 
fully anointed, and filled with the Spirit. 

They could have accomplished but little had they 
preached and labored without this preparation ; but 
as soon as it was received, the multitude were 
drawn to the place in great numbers, and were con- 
founded when they saw the power that rested on 
those Galileans ; a new power attended their preach- 
ing. This work commenced with those believers, 
and spread with great rapidity all over the country. 

So it must be with all v\^ho would labor success- 
fully in leading souls to Christ ; they must tarry at 
Jesus' feet until they have power with God; — 
then they will have power with men. The gift 
there received will be with them wherever they go, 
difi'usiDg its sweet and holy influence, and God's 
work will be revived, and sinners converted. 

I have observed, for nearly forty years past, that 
the secret of success in promoting revivals of re- 
ligion is in having our own hearts filled with the 
Holy Spirit. 

2 



18 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

It IS not enough for those of us who preach, that 
our sermons be able, sound, and well delivered, or 
that we preach what are sometimes called revival ser- 
mons, and that we also visit and converse w^ith men 
about their souls' interest. It is not enough that the 
church be aroused and go to work actively for a re- 
vival : all this can be done, and but" few souls be 
saved. Nothing can be a substitute for real " power 
from on high." No amount of study or talent, no 
effort, however untiring, can take the place of the 
fullness of Christ's love ; " Not by might, nor by 
power [human], but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." 

I have known ministers to preach, and their 
churches to unite with them, day after day, for 
weeks together, for a revival, and yet very little. to 
be accomplished. 

The failure was not because the Spirit was un- 
willing to work with them and bless their efforts, 
nor because a continued meeting is not of divine 
appointment, but because they had not the needed 
power with God. 

I am often invited to assist pastors and churches 
in a series of meetings, with a view of gathering 
in the multitudes, " who are unreached by the ordi- 
nary means of grace." Important as it is to reach 
this class, I have never found any way of doing so, 
or of reaching the unconverted in the regular con- 
gregations, until Christians w^ere filled with the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 19 

Spirit, and humbled in the dust in agonizing 
prayer. 

The multitudes flock to the house of God, when 
Christ's children enjoy the fuHness of his love, and 
no more complaint is heard about small congrega- 
tions, and little interest in the subject of religion. 
For this reason, it is usually quite as well to com- 
mence a series of meetings with a small assembly, 
and in unpleasant weather ; since, under such cir- 
cumstances, the church — at least some portion of it 
— will be more likely to get fully into the work, and 
have power with God, than when the congregations 
are crowded, and the surroundings more promising. 

So clear has this point been to my own mind for 
years, I have said to the pastors and churches with 
whom I have been called to labor, that, if there .was 
not a revival of religion, I should not complain of 
the church, but take the blame mostly to myself, 
believing that if I am right and have power with 
God, others will feel that power, and sinners will 
be converted ; there will be a revival. 

Let me say, then, to pastors and to the churches : 
If you believe the glory of God demands a revival' in 
your midst, and you desire to be instrumental in ad- 
vancing the work and bringing sinners to the Savior, 
first see that your own hearts are thoroughly melted 
and subdued, under a deep sense of the condition 
of lost men, and that you are filled with the Spirit 



20 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

and constrained by the love of Christ ; then get a 
few, if y^u cannot more, to meet with you, and 
pray with and for one another, until, like those 
who prayed with Peter and John, you are all filled 
with the Holy Spirit : then expect a powerful 
revival of religion. Barnabas was "a good man, 
and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith," and, as a 
result, " much people was added unto the Lord." 
Do not seek to produce an undue excitement in the 
community, neither be afraid of as much interest as 
was manifest among the people on the day of 
Pentecost. 

In your prayer meetings have a definite object in 
view. If you desire an immediate outpouring of 
the Spirit, ask God for that ; if the fullness of his 
love in your hearts, let that be the burden of your 
prayer; if the conversion of a friend, agonize 
for that : whatever you desire, look for it at once. 
" What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, be- 
lieve that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." 
If you would have a great blessing, ask for it in 
faith, in Jesus' name. The Fatlier has nothing too 
good or great to give for his Son's sake. Jesus 
is the pledge of all that Infinite Love can bestow, 
or that we can receive. " How shall he not with 
him also freely give us all things." 

If, in your judgment, you need some one to assist 
you for a few days or weeks, secure such aid, but 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 21 

do not rely on any human arm ; make any special 
efforts you think needed, but rely chiefly on having 
power with God in prayer yourself. Human in- 
strumentalities must be employed in the conversion 
of sinners, but the excellency of the power is of 
God. 

One of the divinely appointed means for pro- 
moting revivals of religion, is, at suitable times, to 
hold a series of meetings for days or weeks together. 
Among the other departments of ministerial labor, 
the Savior appointed evangelists to assist in these 
meetings, whenever and wherever they might be 
needed. 

In the days of Nehemiah, we find Ezra, the 
priest, on a pulpit of wood, which had been made 
for the^ occasion, engaged in a series of meetings, 
which continued for many days. Ezra and those 
who assisted him read and explained the word of 
God one fourth part of the day, and spent another 
fourth in prayer and confession of sin ; in this way 
they continued the meeting until there was a great 
revival of religion among them, and a marked re- 
form in their habits and manner of living. Neh. 
viii. ix. 

The apostles also, after Christ's ascension, held a 
meeting about ten days, with a large number of 
ministers presento " These all continued, with one 
accord [day by day], in prayer and supplication 



22 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

with the women," until the Spirit was poured out 
upon them, and they received the promised power 
from on high. Then they were ready for a larger 
congregation; and the multitudes were quickly 
attracted to the place, and the displays of grace 
were so marvellous, and the conversions so numer- 
ous, that there was an addition to the church, on a 
single day of the meeting, of about three thousand 
new members. 

Let me, then, again say to all Christians who 
desire and labor for the conversion of souls : First, 
be right yourself; spend days and nights, if neces- 
sary, in humiliation, fasting, and prayer, until the 
Spirit comes down upon you, and you feel that you 
have power with God ; then you will have power 
with men in leading tiiem to Christ. 

Let none of us, who proclaim the gospel, preach 
complaining, scolding sermons, or make unkind 
remarks about those who differ with us, or who do 
not come up to the work as we would have them. 
Let the melting, subduing love of Christ flow from 
our hearts and lips ; the unconverted will then be- 
gin to cry out, " Men and brethren, what shall we 
do ? " and we shall find ourselves in the midst of a 
glorious outpouring of the Spirit, with a host of 
busy hands and loving hearts about us, reaping and 
bringing in the sheaves, and with no more need 
of asking, " How can I best promote a revival ? " 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 23 



CHAPTER II. 

FAITH.* 
'* Have faith in God." — Mark xi. 22, 

FAITH is a persuasion of the mind, resting 
upon evidence. 
Faith must have a basis to rest upon ; we cannot 
have faith in the absence of evidence. God never 
asks any one to believe anything without furnishing 
a basis for that belief. Does he ask us to believe 
in his own existence, — he opens the great volume 
of nature, and bids us look up. Does he require 
us to receive the Scriptures as divinely inspired,— 
they bear in themselves the evidence of their divine 
origin. Does he bid us come to him in prayer,— 
he furnishes us with daily answers to prayer. 

Some persons have faith in appearances ; that is, 
they believe they are going to have a revival of 
religion, because there is a general solemnity and 
seriousness in the community. This is not faith in 
God, but in appearances : withdraw these indica- 

* A Sermon preached in Fall River, Mass., in 1863. 



24 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

tions, and faith has nothiDg to rest upon. To true 
faith in God the darkness and the light are both 
alike. 

We hear others say they have faith to believe 
they would have a glorious revival, could they 
secure the labors of a favorite minister : this is 
faith in a minister or measure — not in God. Get 
your minister, if in your judgment he would do 
you good, but let your faith anchor in God and 
his promises. 

As faith must have a basis to rest upon, let us 
see what ground we have to expect an immediate 
revival of religion, and souls to be converted to 
God, if w^e go on with this meeting, and preach, 
and pray, and exhort, and sing, and visit. 

1. God appointed these means to effect this end. 

God, who cannot make a mistake, and who knows 
all about the difficulties to be overcome in a dark, 
cold time, bids us go and preach, pray, exhort, and 
sing, in simple faith, and he will bless. 

No matter how dark, or cold, or dead, — we are to 
look for an immediate outpouring of the Spirit, in 
the use of these means. I have come to believe 
that God means just what he says in his word, and 
I expect an outpouring of the Spirit whenever and 
wherever the means are used in faith. 

If God had told me to go into your graveyard 
and sing "Old Hundred" among the graves, and 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 25 

that by this means the dead would be raised, I 
would come to due and another of you, and ask 
if you had any friends in that graveyard ; and if 
so, to get ready to receive them — they were going 
to be raised. Perhaps you would ask me, " Can 
you raise the dead ? " I should answer, " Not at all ; 
but God has sent me to sing ' Old Hundred ' among 
the graves, and says through this means he wdll 
raise the dead." I should expect to see the graves 
open, and the dead come forth. My faith would not 
rest in any power of yours or mine, but in the fact 
that God appointed this means to effect this end. 

Just so when Jesus says, " Go preach my 
word, and, lo ! I am with you, and will pour out 
my Spirit upon you," we should expect him to do 
it. I do expect it; I have not one fear but that we 
shall have a glorious result, if we use these means 
in faith in this place. 

Moses had faith in God, when he lifted the brazen 
serpent to the bitten Israelites ; his faith was not in 
the piece of brass, nor in his own power to heal, 
but in the fact that God had appointed that piece 
of brass thereby to make his power known. 
As Moses lifted that piece of brass in the wilder- 
ness, so must Jesus be lifted to the view of lost 
men. 

We can have faith in God, in using these means, 
then, because he appointed them to effect this end. 



26 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

2. Another strong ground for faith in God, in 
using these means, to expect an immediate revival 
of religion, is, that God's heart and hand are in 
this work. 

God felt so deeply for the salvation of souls, 
before we cared anything about it, that he gave his 
own Son to die for them. 

"This was compassion like a God, 

That, when the Savior knew 
The price of pardon was his blood, 
His pity ne'er withdrew." 

God sees the end from the beginning, and tries 
no experiment — has all necessary resources of 
providence and grace ; so that we can follow where 
he leads, with unwavering faith. 

How often does some providence occur, that is 
made the means of a powerful work of grace. In 
one part of Maine, nine churches united in asking 
me to assist them in a series of union meetings ; 
but before I reached the place, death had taken one 
of the pastors, almost instantly, out of the world. 
This pastor had drawn off the names of more than 
twenty persons, whom he was going to seek, at 
once, to bring to the Savior. One day, with these 
names in his pocket, he went to the post-office, and 
died before reaching his home again. The effect 
was so great upon his congregation and the com- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 27 

munity, that it was oecessary to commence meet- 
ings at once ; and, when I reached the place, more 
than a hundred persons were anxious about their 
souls. 

While I was holding a series of meetings in 

, N. Y., one evening a lady was passing 

near the church door, and one of the sisters asked 
her to come in, saying, " Y^^e are having good 
meetings here ; quite a revival has commenced, 
and I would like to have you attend some of these 
interesting services." The lady replied, "Do 
you think I would go into such a meeting — a re- 
vival meeting? No, never ! " This lady went on 
home, scorning the meeting and religion. A day 
or two after this she was passing that church door 
again while the congregation were singing one. of 
their sweet revival hymns. The notes went through 
the open door and reached her ear. She paused, 
and said, " That sounds good." The same sister 
who had invited her in before, again at the door, 
said, " Come in and hear more." She replied, 
"I am too proud to sit down in a meeting-house, 
unless I can own a seat." The sister told her she 
might have their seat, which could be emptied for 
her at once. This was done, and the lady spent the 
rest of the evening in our meeting ; her heart was 
deeply moved. Within one short week this lady 
and her husband were both rejoicing in a Savior's 



28 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

love. Very soon both united with that church. 
So we see that God here blessed the songs of praise 
to the salvation of souls. 

One of the greatest victories ever won by Jehosh- 
aphat was won by singing : " And when he had 
consulted with the people, he appointed singers 
unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty 
of holiness as they went out before the army, and 
to say, Praise the Lord ; for his mercy endure th 
forever. And when they began to sing and 
praise, ...... (their enemies) were smitten." 

2 Chron. 20: 21, 22. 

We find, then, as in all ages, God blessed his 
people when they sung his praise, 

I would urge all who desire to promote revivals 
of religion, and to lead men to Jesus, to have the 
best singing you can in all your meetings. Sing 
with life and spirit. God appointed singing, and 
will bless it. Have faith in God. 

How often we see a whole community moved by 
the power of a little prayer-meeting. Peter was 
brought out of prison, while the church were pray- 
ing in the house of Mary, the mother of John. 

"Prayer is appointed to convey 
The blessings God designs to give." 

Let the " nothing-wavering " prayer be offered, 
and it cannot fail. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 29 

Have faith in God when you pray, for he ap- 
pointed these means to effect this end. 

" Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye 
shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto 
you;" but let it be done in faith. 

3. God has always blessed these means, when 
they have been used in faith. 

None ever knew a failure, except when faith was 
lacking. 

The walls of Jericho fell down after they had 
been compassed about in faith ; yet I presume 
many of those who went round those walls, like 
many church members now, had no faith in God, 
but marched with those that had. 

God honors all the faith he finds in his people. 
I would advise all to use what faith they have, -for 
in this way faith grows — it is strengthened by use. 
Just as David's faith, after he had rescued the lamb 
from the mouth of the lion and the paw of the bear, 
became so strong he believed he could kill Goliath. 

Naaman, the Syrian, went into the Jordan to wash 
seven times, with very great unbelief (yet he must 
have had a little faith, or he would not have gone at 
all) ; but, after the wonderful cure, he went home 
with strong faith. He found God's word reliable. 
God always blesses the use of the means he has 
appointed, when used in faith ;^ and he blesses in 
proportion to the strength of our faith. 



30 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

When Ezekiel preached to the dry bones, there 
was nothing remarkable hi his sermon or manner 
of presenting the truth, but simply in his faith in 
God. His faith did not rest in any wonderful skill, 
or power in preaching, nor in any favorable appear- 
ances, but in God. He would do just what God 
directed him to do, knowing that God could not 
make a mistake, and that he was able to do just as 
he promised. So, standing up among the bones, — 
dried, and bleached, and scattered as they were, 
— Ezekiel began to cry, "Dry bones, hear the word 
of the Lord ! Dry bones, live ! Dry bones, come 
together ! " Power accompanied the means God 
appointed, and bone came to his fellow-bone, and 
they were clothed with flesh and sinews. But the 
breath of life was not yet in them. Then followed 
prayer, or calling on the wind to blow upon the 
slain. The breath of life entered into them, and 
there stood upon their feet an army of men. By 
this figure Ezekiel was shown how God saves 
sinners. 

As Ezekiel went among those dry bones and 
preached to them, and called on the wind to blow 
upon them, and they lived, so Christians must go 
among wicked men, and preach and pray, and use 
the means God has appointed, in faith, and he 
will bless these means, and save souls, and build 
up his church. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 31 

Perhaps some one will ask why God does not 
bless the labors of all his ministers, alike, in the 
conversion of souls. It is because they do not ex- 
pect it. They hope God will bless their labors ; 
they pray him to do it ; they really desire it, but 
do not in faith, without wavering, expect it. Faith 
is as necessary here, as is fire to produce heat. 
Persons may perish in the cold, surrounded with 
good fuel, for the want of fire to kindle it ; so men 
can go down to eternal death, under the ablest pre- 
sentation of truth, just for the want of faith in God 
on the part of the preacher and those that hear. So 
important is faith in God, that Jesus said to the 
anxious around him, " Only believe ; " "All things 
are possible to him that believeth." 

" Could my zeal no respite know, 
Could my tears forever flow, 
All for sin could not atone : 
Thou must save, and thou alone I 
Nothing in my hand I bring ; 
Simply to thy cross I cling." 

A beautiful illustration of this occurred in one of 
my meetings. A citizen, about thirty years of age, 
had such a clear view of himself as a sinner in the 
sight of God, and felt so deeply that he must have 
help or perish, that he came to my room, after 
midnight, to know what he should do to be saved. 
O, the agony of his soul ! He walked the floor 



32 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

crying, " I shall perish ! What shall I do ? What 
shall I do?" He kneeled down by a chair, and 
literally laid his face on the carpet. But he 
soon rose, saying, "I must be lost!" His groans 
and cries were heart-rending. I saw plainly that 
he needed to get a clear view of Jesus and his 
work, and asked him not to groan, but to be calm, 
and listen to me for a moment. After o^ettino^ his 
attention, I told him that his tears and overwhelm- 
ing anguish w^ould not help him, but he must let go 
of all reliance upon anything but Jesus, and simply 
believe. I then repeated a portion of the old Scotch 
hymn (God be thanked for that good Scotch brother 
who wrote it !) , — 

" Nothing, either great or small, 
Nothing, sinner, no; 
Jesus died and paid it all, 
Long, yes, long ago. 

** Jesus paid it all. 

All the debt I owe ; 
And nothing, either great or small, 
Eemains for me to do." 

Looking up through his tears, he asked, "Is 
that it, Mr. Earle ? Is that the way ? " I replied, 
" That is exactly the way." But the light was not 
yet clear enough for him freely to embrace Jesus 
by a simple faith. He commenced groaning and 
pleading again, saying, "O, what shall I do?" 



BRINGING IN SHEA VJES. 33 

I said to him, " Dou't groan ; let me have your 
attention a little longer." I then repeated the last 
stanza of that beautiful hymn, — 

*' Cast jour deadly doing down, 
Down, all at Jesus' feet ; 
Stand in him, in him alone, 
AH glorious and complete. 

"Jesus died and paid it all, 
All the debt I owe ; 
And nothing, either great or small, 
Remains for me to do." 

As the Spirit shed light upon his dark mind, he 
smiled through his tears, and said, "I believe 
that is it ; yes, that is it — ' Jesus died and paid it 
all.' I thought I must do something, and could not 
see what I could do. How glad I am that I came 
here to-night. I can trust Jesus now ; yes, I can 
trust him." I then asked him to kneel down and 
tell Jesus he could trust him. After doing this, he 
left me, saying, "0,1 am so happy now ! " 

So that not only does our success depend upon 
our faith in God, but the weeping, groaning, peni- 
tent sinner cannot be saved without faith in Jesus. 

How necessary, when we use the means God has 
appointed for the salvation of men and the spread 
of the gospel, that we " have faith in God." 

Let me mention an incident or two that have 
greatly strengthened my faith. A few years ago, 
3 



34 BRINGING IN SHEAVES 

in a ministers' conference, the text for criticism 
was, "Is not the set time to favor Zion come?" 
Among other questions raised, was this: "Is it 
perfectly safe for a minister to commence a series 
of meetings in a church or community where there 
are no indications of a revival of religion? Ought 
he to go to work expecting an immediate outpour- 
ing of the Spirit ? " I had just begun, as it were, to 
believe God, and take him at his word, and, with 
several others, said, "It is safe." In a few days 
I commenced a series of meetings in a little church 
of about twenty members, who were very cold and 
dead, and much divided — the only green spot 
being a little prayer-meeting, kept up by two or 
three sisters. I preached the first evening, and 
closed the meeting at eight o'clock. There was not 
one to speak or pray. I succeeded the next even- 
ing in getting one brother to say a few words, and 
closed again about eight o'clock, but said to the 
people, " We will go on with the meeting." All 
around looked dark, but to the eye of faith the 
darkness and the light are both alike. 

The next morning I rode six miles, to a min- 
ister's study, to get him to pray with and for me. 
We both kneeled at the same chair and prayed, 
feeling and believing that faith in God could not be 
disappointed. I went back, and said to that little 
church, "If you can just make out to board me. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 35 

I will stay with you until God opens the windows 
of heaven. God has promised to bless these means, 
and I believe he will." I trusted it all to Jesus, 
and went to work ; and within ten days there were 
so many anxious souls, that I met one hundred and 
fifty of them at a time at an inquiry meeting, 
while Christians were praying in another house of 
worship. A powerful work of grace followed, and 
I think several hundred souls were led to Jesus. 
This greatly strengthened my faith in God. 

On another occasion I commenced a meeting near 
Boston, and preached the first evening on this same 
subject — Faith in God. We had a pleasant even- 
ing and a large assembly. Everything seemed 
favorable. I told the congregation that I believed 
we should have a great work, and they must pro- 
vide seats for the aisles of the meeting-house. 

The very next day a terrible snow-storm came 
on, so that we were shut out of the meeting-house 
and in our homes. For six successive days I 
preached in a private parlor at my boarding-place 
(which was only a few rods from the church) to 
ten or fifteen persons. This was a trial of my faith ; 
yet I knew God was able to fulfill his promises, and 
I believed he would. 

About the seventh day, the storm being over, we 
came together again in the meeting-house. On the 
first or second evening one hundred men and women 



36 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

came forward for prayer, deeply convicted. While 
they were shut up at home, the Spirit of God had 
been at work upon their hearts. God had given a 
voice to the howling winds, and moved the hearts 
of his people just as well as though they had 
gathered in his house. A great work followed, 
and many precious souls were brought to Jesus. 

With these and many other tests of God's prom- 
ises, I have come to believe and trust him, so that I 
can follow where he leads. 

Let me ask you all to go home from this meeting, 
to preach, and pray, and sing, and visit, in faith. 
Do all you can ; speak to all of Jesus ; but rely 
alone on God, asking and expecting great things. 
If the clouds look dark, and the angel says, "Let 
me go," let your grasp be firm, and say, — 

*^ Nay, I cannot let thee go, 
Till a blessing thou bestow; 
Do not turn away thy face — 
Mine's an urgent, pressing case. 
Once a sinner, near despair. 
Sought thy mercy-seat by prayer : 
Mercy heard and set him free, — 
Lord, that mercy came to me. 

" Many years have passed since then, 
Many changes have I seen, 
Yet have been upheld till now, — 
Who could hold me up but Thou? 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 37 ^ 

Nay, I must maintain my hold ; 

'Tis thy goodness makes me bold ; '■ 

I can no denial take, 

When I plead for Jesus' sake." 

Note. — The meetings in Fall Eiver began with 
seventeen persons present at the first one ; at the 
closing meeting there were present nearly two 
thousand. It was thought there were one thousand 
conversions as the immediate fruit of this meeting. 



38 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 



CHAPTEE III. 

EEVIVAL GLEANINGS. 

ALBANY, N. Y. — In this city I have labored 
in two meetings ; the first was held on Wash- 
ington Avenue, in a hall fitted up for the purpose. 

Ten or twelve members from diff*erent churches 
in the city had united in forming a mission station 
on this street, and I was invited to hold a series of 
meetings there. This was in 1859. 

So much interest was manifested, that several 
times when we closed our evening meeting at nine 
and a half o'clock, and a part of the audience left, 
there were enough outside, about the doors, to fill 
all vacant places in the hall. 

On one occasion I said to the congregation, 
"If any of you feel that you are sinners, and will 
do anything you can to find Jesus, I will stay with 
you until you do find him. I feel safe to take God 
at his word." 

Six men and five women took the front seats, 
feeling that they were great sinners. This was 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 39 

after dismissing the congregation twice. After all 
but a few who remained to pray had retired, and 
the way of salvation through Jesus had been 
pointed out, we all bowed in prayer for the imme- 
diate conversion of these eleven individuals, they 
having said, "We will pray for ourselves, and as 
far as we know will give ourselves now to the 
Savior." It was a moment of deep solemnity. 
The Holy Spirit was there to enlighten and lead 
the blind to Jesus. Within two hours every one 
of the eleven had found Jesus. 

This work went on for four weeks with increasing 
interest, and many hearts and homes were made 
happy in Albany. 

After a short time many of the converts came 
together, and asked the few Christians who had 
labored so earnestly for their salvation to organize 
a church and receive them into it. 

Accordingly six brethren and four sisters united 
in forming what was then called the " Washington 
Avenue Baptist Church." This was done on Thurs- 
day. The following Sabbath I baptized forty-four 
happy converts, and administered the Lord's Sup- 
per in the evening. On that occasion the following 
lines were sung as I had never heard them before : 

" All hail the power of Jesus' name ! 
Let angels prostrate fall ; 
Bring forth the royal diadem, 
And crown him Lord of all." 



40 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Deacon Patten gave the building and land to the 
new church, and became one of its members. 

After a brief connection with this church, this 
dear brother was called home — " crossed the flood " 
— to join the other branch of Christ's family. He 
remembered the church in his will, leaving them 
ten thousand dollars, which, with other blessings of 
God's providence, and the faithful labors of their 
first pastor, Eev. William P. Everett, enabled them 
to purchase the State Street meeting-house and 
land, changing their name to the " Calvary Baptist 
Church." 

This is now a strong church, of nearly four hun- 
dred members. 

I shall always feel a peculiar interest in this 
church, and it will ever hold a warm place in my 
heart. 

I went to Albany for the second meeting, at the 
request of the Pearl Street Baptist church, Eev. 
W. Bridgeman, pastor. Soon after commencing, 
it was thought desirable to have a union meeting, 
and for ^yq weeks services were held alternately 
with the Pearl Street church, and Dr. E. L. Ma- 
goon's church on Hudson Street. 

On the last Sabbath of the meeting a union com- 
munion was held in Pearl Street Church. 

One hundred of the converts, having been p*e- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 41 

viously baptized, at this time received the right 
hand of fellowship, in the following order : Those 
uniting with the Pearl Street church received the 
right hand of fellowship from their pastor, while 
Dr. Magoon and myself followed, cordially grasp- 
ing the hand of each of the new members. Those 
going with the Hudson Street church received the 
right hand of fellowship from their pastor, while 
Brother Bridgeman and I followed, giving each a 
hearty grasp of the hand. It was a delightful hour, 
and no one present will soon forget it. At the 
close, all joined in singing, with overflowing hearts, 

" Nearer, my God, to thee, 
Nearer to thee ! " 

East Bridgewatee, Mass. — There had been 
formed at this place a Methodist class, numbering 
about twenty persons, and they had hired for a 
place of worship the meeting-house belonging to 
the Universalist society. Thus, with so few sup- 
porters, and with prospects to the eye of sense so 
uncertain, this church began a career which, as we 
look back upon it after the lapse of a few years, we 
can see was one of great influence for good. 

At this early period in the history of this society 
I was invited to labor in a series of meetings with 
them. From the commencement, God was with us 
and blessed our efibrts. The town seemed to be 



42 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

shaken to its very foundation by the power of God's 
Spirit working upon the hearts of men ; and sinners 
by scores flocked to the fold of Christ. 

The " Abington Standard " published the follow- 
ing, in regard to the spiritual condition of this town 
at the time of the revival : " There is one event in 
the religious history of East Bridge water which 
seems worthy of notice. When the celebrated 
Whitefield was in this country, some one hundred 
and twenty years ago, an effort was made to secure 
his services at that village, and he himself expressed 
a strong desire to labor there ; for even then the 
place was notorious for its wickedness. The effort, 
however, failed, and an old gentleman publicly 
prophesied that there would not be a revival there 
during that generation. 

" Until the present time there has been none ; and, 
during the century and over that has intervened, 
that part of the town has been known by its own 
inhabitants as the ' God-forsaken village.' Now a 
change has taken place. Meetings are crowded, 
and many are turning from their evil ways." 

A business man came to my room one day, deep- 
ly concerned about his spiritual welfare. After a 
little conversation, he asked me if he could not be- 
come a Christian and be a " silent partner." Being 
assured that there was no provision for " silent 
partners" in the great company of Christian be- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 43 

lievers, he humbly submitted to Christ, and was 
willing to confess him before men. 

A young man, who had seemed to have no regard 
for the teachings of the Bible, was convicted of sin, 
but hesitated to give himself to Christ, through fear 
that he could not meet his old companions. But, 
after a little delay, he yielded, and found pardon 
and peace in Jesus. 

Still that dread of meeting his former associates 
worried him ; and one day, to avoid meeting them, 
as he thought he was certain to do if he went by the 
road, he took a circuitous way through the fields. 
But way back there he met the very group w^hich 
he had sought to avoid. They at once asked him 
if he had become religious. Then his fear left 
him, and he talked to them about Jesus, and in- 
vited them to come with him. They, instead of 
making sport, as he had expected, seemed not only 
willing, but eager, to hear his testimony and heed 
his warnings. 

Thus what appeared to be a mountain of difficul- 
ty, was now a pleasure. "It is not in man that 
walketh to direct his steps." 

While additions were made to other churches, as 
the fruit of this meeting, that little Methodist class 
of twenty persons in a few months became a church 
with over two hundred members. They have since 
built a nice and commodious house of worship, and 



44 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

constitute one of the largest and most prosperous 
churches in that region. 

Let me relate, for the encouragement of those 
who desire to be active laborers for Christ, how I 
came to go to East Bridge water. A Christian 
brother, who had been an earnest worker in the 
meetings held in Abington, and who was well ac- 
quainted with the religious history of East Bridge- 
water, and mourned the eflect of the long spiritual 
drought, had for a long time felt a great desire to 
see a work of grace in that village. 

Doubtless he had prayed to God for the fulfill- 
ment of this desire ; but that was not all : feeling 
the value of the soul, and the need of immediate 
effort, he came to me, and presenting the great 
wants of the place, urged me, with more than usual 
earnestness, to go and labor for the salvation of this 
people. In addition to this, he voluntarily took 
from his own purse quite a sum of money, to be 
used for the promotion of this work. 

So I think it safe to say he was not only the 
means of my going to East Bridgewater, but I be- 
lieve hundreds of souls to-day, rejoicing in the 
Savior's love, are indebted, so far as human instru- 
mentality is concerned, to the prayers and efforts 
of this good brother. 

Chelsea, Mass. — The union meeting held in 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 45 

this city, in the spring of 1866, was blessed with a 
deep and far-reaching work of grace. There was a 
marked spirit of unity and harmony among Chris- 
tians of different denominations : they seemed to 
feel that they were indeed members of Christ's 
family, and were laboring for a common cause. 

An unusually large number were engaged in 
these meetings, as may be judged from the follow- 
ing incident : At one of our evening meetings, 
after a short discourse from the words, " Who is on 
the Lord's side ? " an opportunity was given for any 
present to speak of their reasons for being on the 
Lord's side. Then there rose up, one after another, 
— from the gray-headed grandfathor to f. e little 
schoolboy, — three hundred ana seventy-five per- 
sons, — and spoke for Jesus. At this point the 
hour for closing the meeting had arrived, and the 
people were dismissed, although many more were 
ready and waiting to " stand up for Jesus." 

The following extract we take from the " Congre- 
gationalist : " — 

" The religious interest in Chelsea is increasing. 
On Sunday evening last Rev. Mr. Earle preached 
to an audience of not less than fifteen hundred per- 
sons, in Rev. Mr. Plumb's church, and the latter 
preached at the same time in the vestry, while it 
was estimated that as many were obliged to turn 
back for want of room as were present at both 
services. 



46 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

"Meetings, in which the two Congregational and 
the two Baptist churches join, are held daily. 
Among those who have publicly and heartily borne 
testimony to the saving power of the gospel, and 
consecrated themselves to the service of Christ, are 
a lawyer and a physician, both of whom have long 
been among the leading men of the city." 

The membership of several of the churches was 
largely increased by this revival, particularly of 
those with which the meetings were chiefly held — 
Eev. Dr. Mason's and Rev. Mr. Plumb's; with the 
latter over one hundred united at a single com- 
munion season, more than forty of them- being 
heads of families. 

Springfield, Mass. — Although I was invited 
here to labor more particularly with Dr. Ide's 
church, the meeting soon became, in spirit and 
form, a union meeting, embracing the diflferent 
evangelical denominations of the city. 

City Hall, the largest audience room in the city, 
was secured for many of our meetings, where were 
sometimes gathered as many as three thousand per- 
sons, while many were obliged to turn away, being 
unable to get in. 

As the interest was not denominational, so it was 
not sectional ; but throughout the entire city the 
great subject of conversation was " The Meeting." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 47 

War was not the all-absorbing question ; but men 
found time to talk about Religion. 

The awakening was not confined to Springfield, 
but, to an extraordinary degree, was felt in many of 
the villages and towns in the surrounding country. 

Special trains of cars were run for the accommo- 
dation of those wishing to attend the meetings ; 
this was particularly the case on the railroad con- 
necting Springfield with Chicopee and Northampton, 
when extra trains waited until after ten o'clock at 
night to carry the people back to their homes — 
some with hearts overflowing with love to God, and 
others deeply concerned about their souls. 

The "Daily Union," of March 17, 1864, says, in 
reference to an evening meeting in City Hall : 
"Strong men, in the pride and strength of man- 
hood, were led to inquire what they should do to 
be saved. No one who was there could doubt for a 
moment the reality of religion. There was no ex- 
citement, no shouting, no noisy demonstrations ; 
but every one was calm, thoughtful, and deeply 
impressed with the solemnity of the occasion." 

The Spirit of God reached all classes. Work- 
men connected with the U. S. Armory at Spring- 
field were constant attendants of these meetings, 
and manifested their interest in them, and in the 
subject of religion, by sending the following 
petition, signed by nearly six hundred of their 
number ; — 



48 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

" Spkingfield, March 9, 1864. 

«Eev. a. B. Earle. 

" Dear Sir : Are you willing to hold a meeting 
at City Hall, some evening during your stay in our 
city, with special reference to the men connected 
with the Armory where we are employed ? " 

This petition is in my possession, with that long 
list of names, just as they were signed upon one 
roll, very much soiled by the finger-marks of those 
working-men, and I prize it just as it is. 

In compliance with this request the meeting was 
held, and it was a 'solemn, heavenly season — one 
which we mfij believe many of those noble men 
will look back upon from eternity with great joy. 
It was thought over four hundred persons rose that 
evening, and requested the prayers of Christians 
that they might be brought into the fold of Christ. 

Among the business men who were earnestly 
engaged in these meetings was W. J. Holland, a 
publisher. Though Springfield was his place of 
business, his home at that time was in Belchertown, 
some twenty-five miles distant, where he was 
teaching a very interesting Bible class of young 
ladies. 

He became so anxious for the conversion of this 
class that he determined to make an effort to bring 
them where they could attend our meetings. Five 
of the eight members of his class came with him. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 49 

For these he obtained boarding-places, and went 
with them to meeting. 

One afternoon, after his class had attended sev- 
eral meetings, Mr. Holland felt so anxious about 
them that he could not go to meeting nor attend to 
business, but spent the time in his room in agoniz- 
ing prayer for their immediate conversion. 

During that afternoon service they were deeply 
concerned about their souls, and, before leaving the 
church, each one of those five young ladies sought 
and found Christ ; and when they met their teacher 
in the evening, all were rejoicing in a Savior's love. 

The object of their visit was now accomplished, 
and it became necessary for them to return to their 
homes. The evening before their return, this happy 
band of classmates gathered in fr5nt of the pulpt 
to have a parting grasp of the hand with the Chris- 
tians to whom they had become so much endeared. 
They came among us — strangers ; but now were 
going to leave us — " no more strangers and for- 
eigners, but of the household of God." Much that 
is pleasant and important in their life experience 
must ever centre within the few days spent in 
Springfield. 

Mr. Holland presented me with a beautifully 
bound album, made expressly for his class, and 
containing his own photograph and that of each 
member of the class. 
4 



50 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

One day, while iii Washington, a soldier, dressed 
in uniform, stopped me on the street, and, grasping 
my hand very earnestly, called me by name. I did 
not know him, but he knew me, and said, " I came 
from my home in Connecticut, and attended one of 
your evening meetings, and heard you preach, 
while you were holding a meeting in Springfield. 
I felt that I was a sinner, and from that time had no 
peace until I gave my heart to God. The Savior is 
precious to me now." 

I could but rejoice with him, as I looked upon 
his happy face and heard his words, tracing back 
his present joy to the " godly sorrow " of that one 
night in Springfield. " Cast thy bread upon the 
waters : for thou shalt find it after many days." 

Without attempting any estimate of the number 
of conversions, some idea may be gained from 
the words of one of the pastors : " As the fruit of 
this meeting, over six hundred united with the 
churches." A new Baptist church sprang up from 
that meeting, and has been a growing, working 
church ever since, and is exerting a deep and wide- 
felt influence throughout the city. 

Many converts v,ere also gathered into the 
churches in adjoining towns, as the result of that 
meeting. 

Cincinnati, Ohio. — The following extract from 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 51 

the " Journal and Messenger " gives a very correct 
idea of the meeting in this city : — 

" Last Sabbath was the final day of brother Earle's 
visit to our city. It was every way a most solemn 
and important day. In the morning, at the Sab- 
bath school of the Ninth Street church, the regu- 
lar lessons were dispensed with, and an hour devoted 
to prayer and short addresses from various persons. 
But the marked feature of the session was the 
declaration from a number of scholars that they 
had found the Savior. In their own childish way 
they rose and confessed a new-found trust in Jesus. 
Just as the hour for closing came, a large number 
of the scholars signified a desire to become Chris- 
tians. It was an aflectinc^ sio^ht. 

"In the afternoon a union service was held -in 
the First Baptist church. Brother Earle preached 
from the words, 'Friend, how camest thou in 
hither not having a wedding garment?' The 
design of the sermon was, to show through what 
difficulties of the divine placing a man must press 
his way to ruin. 

" Then followed a union communion of the three 
Baptist churches. The entire house was filled 
with communicants. After this service, the fol- 
lowing resolution was passed : — 

" ' Since for several weeks past, brother A. B. Earle 
has been with us preaching a Savior for lost men, 



52 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

and since quite a number among us have received 
his message, and come to the Savior, and found for- 
giveness for sin, and because many, widely wander- 
ing, have returned with renewed resohition to the 
Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, therefore we, 
the members of the three churches herein named, 
the Ninth Street Baptist, the First and Second 
Baptist churches, of Cincinnati, who have been 
united in this w^ork, esteem it simply due our 
brother, that, in this public manner, we express 
our confidence in him, declare our Christian affec- 
tion for him, thank him for the great good he has 
done among us, and that we do now most heartily 
commend him to the churches in his important 
work.' 

" The closing service was held in the Ninth Street 
church in the evening. 

" The results have been great. Many have come 
to the Savior, and many are now seeking him. In- 
deed, it seems as if the w^ork in this direction had 
but begun. Many who have been negligent are 
now earnest and at work. The accumulation of 
moral power to the churches is most noticeable. 
Religion holds a larger place in the thoughts of 
men than it did. They are easier of approach. 
All through the city there is an unwonted thought- 
fulness. 

"The churches have clasped each other's hands, 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 53 

and felt their warm pressure, and do not mean to 
let go. As churches, we are better organized for 
work than, perhaps, we ever were before. The 
brethren are aroused and ready for toil. With 
God's help, we shall, in all the churches, accom- 
plish much for the Master this winter. And our 
prayers, our love, and our thanks shall follow 
brother Earle." 



54 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 



CHAPTER IV. 

PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

IN the summer of 1858, after a year of hard and 
constant work in the " States," during which I 
had preached more than five hundred sermons, I 
went, with my family, to one of the British Prov- 
inces, hoping to find retirement and rest for a few 
weeks on those quiet, healthy, hospitable shores. 

The steamer in which we embarked at Boston 
landed us safely at the wharf in St. John, New 
Brunswick, Friday evening, July 23. 

" A man's heart deviseth his way : but the Lord 
directeth his steps." I had sought this land for 
rest; and, I thought, "I am among strangers, my 
plan will surely be carried out, and I shall not 
have to preach for a few weeks, at least not often ; " 
but God's purpose seemed to be that I should preach 
from fifteen to twenty times a week. The seed was 
already sown, and the way open for me to go to 
work at once and help gather in the harvest. 

Before I had been three days in the city I com- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES., 55 

menced preaching, and went on from that time 
until, within about fiYQ months, I had preached, 
in different parts of the province, over three hun- 
dred times, and trust fifteen hundred or two thou- 
sand souls had been " born again," as the fruit of 
our meetings. 

I found a kind and generous-hearted people 
there, everywhere welcoming me as a servant of 
Jesus. It would give me much pleasure to " repeat 
the vision so divine." Many of the scenes in which 
I was permitted to take part were very interesting, 
and have left a deep impression on my mind. 

At St. John a large number found the Savior 
precious, and connected with the different churches. 
Though more or less characteristic of all revivals 
of religion, it was especially true of the work "in 
this city, that many who had wandered far away 
from God saw their sin, and, returning, sought 
with tears their Father's face. Some who had once 
confessed, but since denied Christ before men, 
could now say, 

"The Shepherd sought his sheep; 

The Father sought his child ; 
They followed me o'er vale and hill, 

O'er desert, waste, and wild : 
They found me nigh to death, 

Tarnished, and faint, and lone ; 
They bound me with the bands of love ; 

They saved the wandering one. 



56 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

" I was a wayward child ; 

J. once preferred to roam ; 
But now I love my Father's voice — 
I love, I love his home." 

It gives me pleasure to add my tribute of love 
and respect to the memory of two warm-hearted, 
active men, who were here my fellow-laborers 
in the work of the Lord — Rev. Mr. Eobinson, 
of the Brussels Street church, and Kev. Mr. De 
Mill. As we labored together in that precious 
revival, we did not know which of us held the 
longest lease of life ; but now, only a few years 
have 'passed, and they have been summoned across 
the swellings of Jordan, to give an account of their 
stewardship, and, I believe, have been welcomed to 
the "mansions" of the blessed, and have received 
the approval, " Well done." 

After preaching a hundred times in St. John, I 
went up the St. John Eiver, to labor a short time at 
Burton. 

The quiet ride on the broad bosom of that beau- 
tiful, majestic stream, lined as it was on either side 
with so much to attract and delight the eye, seemed 
a fitting introduction to the sweet and holy scenes 
of the work of grace that followed. At one point, 
high, rocky cliffs pictured their ragged forms in the 
clear mirror at their feet, while from the opposite 
side a thick forest let down its waving image upon 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 57 

the river's surface. At another turn of the river 
the Indians had taken temporary possession of the 
land, by placing here and there little conical wig- 
wams, built of poles and bark, from the top of 
which we could imagine the curling smoke was 
bearing upward with it to the "Great Spirit" 
curses upon the white man for drestroying the 
hunting-grounds of the red man. Again the pic- 
ture changed, and we looked out upon highly culti- 
vated farms, with their green meadows and fields 
of yellow grain gently sloping from the hills on 
either side. 

After such a ride, with the thoughts it w^ould 
naturally suggest, any one ought to be better fitted 
to go to work in a revival meeting. 

While at Burton, the meetings were held every 
other day on the opposite side of the river, which 
we were obliged to crogs in boats ; so day after day 
we passed back and forth, from side to side, but 
always realizing the presence of the same blessed 
Spirit, melting and uniting our hearts. 

While we were engaged in prayer one afternoon, 
a man, about sixty years of age, who had cursed us 
and our meetings, was so convicted of sin while at 
work in his field near the place of meeting, that he 
left his team and came w^here we were, crying for 
mercy, and saying, " O, I am such a sinner ! Can 
God forgive such a sinner? Will you pray for 



58 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

me?" Yes, we could pray for him. There was 
efficacy enough in the blood of Jesus to wash away 
even his sins. He was soon rejoicing in the Sa- 
vior's love. 

Frequently more than a hundred carriages could 
be seen about the place of meeting, many persons 
riding fifteen or twenty miles to be present. 

The churches there were accustomed to receive 
converts as soon as they gave evidence of a change 
of heart, and on two occasions there were so many 
to be baptized that I was one of five ministers 
engaged in ba^Dtizing at the same time and place. 

One Sabbath afternoon, when I was expecting to 
preach my closing sermon in the evening and leave 
for home the next day, not less than three hundred 
anxious souls requested us to pray for them, many 
of them rising for prayer in their carriages and on 
the ground outside of the meeting-house, as not 
more than half of the congregation, it was believed, 
were able to get inside. 

Here was a trial for me. My family needed my 
attention, for it was time for us to return home ; 
these three hundred anxious souls also had a claim 
upon me. My duty seemed to be to go home with 
my family, and then return to the province. This 
I did, and preached one hundred and fifty times 
more. 

From Burton I went to Frederickton, the capital 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 59 

of New Brunswick, where, during our meeting of 
two weeks, w^e enjoyed the presence of the Holy 
Spirit, and trust many souls found peace in Christ. 
Many leading men, occupying positions of trust 
and influence, were actively engaged with us in the 
Master's service. 

At Grand Lake almost every person seemed to 
be awakened and interested in religion ; the un- 
godly sought to know Christ, and Christians to 
know him better. 

From ten to thirty ministers were generally pres- 
ent with us, many believing they and their churches 
would be more benefited in the end by their re- 
maining in our meeting. I found them a noble 
class to work with. May God bless the ministers 
of New Brunswick ! 

I went out at midnight, near my boarding-place, 
while at Grand Lake, and could distinctly hear the 
voice of prayer in the houses, in the barns, in the 
fields, and in the streets. Sometimes I could hear 
anxious persons praying in the chamber, in the 
kitchen, and in the parlor of the house where I 
stopped, at one o'clock at night. 

Very late one night, ten men and women, deeply 
concerned about their souls, were assembled at my 
boarding-place, desiring me to point out to them 
the "way of life." I had already conversed and 



60 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

prayed with so many during the day and evening 
that nature was almost exhausted, and, after a few 
words with them, I said, "I can do no more. You 
know the way to Jesus. Go into that room alone, 
and pray for yourselves." They did so ; and while 
I rested, those ten persons were praying for them- 
selves, without a Christian with them. In the 
course of an hour they all came out of the room 
wdth bright faces, rejoicing in the pardoning love 
of Jesus. 

On the seventh morning of my stay at Grand 
Lake, a large number of ministers and others came 
together for a friendly greeting and exchange of 
good wishes ; and, after several prayers had been 
offered, nearly all accompanied me to the shore of 
the lake, where a vessel was waiting. AVith a 
warm grasp of the hand, and a sweet, parting 
hymn, we separated, to meet next at the judgment- 
seat of our Eedeemer. 

After holding six or eight three-days meetings in 
different parts of the province, which God crowned 
with his rich blessing, I took the last steamer going 
to Boston that winter, and returned to my home, 
full of gratitude for my visit to Xew Brunswick. 

One incident of our visit will show the large- 
heartedness of this good people. Soon after our 
arrival at St. John, we thought it would be pleasant 



BR URGING IN SHEAVES. 61 

to spend a few weeks at a summer resort near the 
city, on the shore of the Bay of Fimdy. Some of 
the citizens, learning of our wish, took the matter 
out of our hands, and themselves secured and com- 
fortably furnished a house for us about two miles 
out of the city, where we passed seven weeks very 
pleasantly, many bringing to my family such things 
as they thought for their comfort, while I preached 
each day in the city. When we were ready to leave, 
the people came again and carried the furniture 
back, refusing any compensation for what they had 
done. 

This and many other generous expressions of 
their good feeling towards me and my family have 
bound my heart to the people there, and my visit 
■will be treasured among the pleasantest recollec- 
tions of my life. 

I have a strong desire to visit them again, and 
spend another season of labor there ; but, if not 
permitted to realize this, I can say, — 

" Sweet is the thought, the promise sweet, 
That friends, long-severed friends, shall meet; 
That kindred souls, on earth disjoined. 
Shall meet, from earthly dross refined, 
Their mortal cares and sorrows o'er, 
And mingle hearts, to part no more." 



e2 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTER y. 

SERMON.— JOY RESTORED. 

"Restore unto bie the Joy of thy Salvation." 
Psalm li. 12. 

THE Psalmist does not say, " Restore unto me 
salvation," — he had salvation already; nor, 
"Restore my hope," — he had a good hope; nor, 
"Restore me to thy family," — he had not left the 
family of his Lord ; no, this is the burden of his 
heart : " I do not enjoy religion as I used to, conse- 
quently I cannot teach transgressors thy ways, and 
sinners are not converted through my influence ; 
therefore, 'Restore unto me the joy of thy salva- 
tion.'" 

We may have wealth, and not enjoy it. Every 
earthly source of comfort may surround us, and 
yet we derive but little comfort from them. We 
may be miserable in the most costly and magnifi- 
cent home. 

So we may be regenerated, truly members of 
Christ's family, and at the same time be unhappy. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 63 

We may be heirs of heaven, and, while journeying 
here below, have in our possession the key to our 
Father's rich storehouse, and yet be fretful and 
complaining, having just religion enough to make 
ourselves and our friends miserable. 

My aim in this discourse will be to show that it 
is the duty of every Christian to enjoy the fullness 
of Christ's love. 

I. Eeligion is a joyful subject in itself. It 

" Never was designed 

To make our pleasures less." 

There is enough to make the Christian always joy- 
ful, in the mere fact that he has been taken " out of 
a horrible pit," and placed upon the solid *' Rock ; " 
that he has exchanged rags and tilth for purity and 
robes of matchless beauty ; that he has been made 
an actual possessor of " all things " in lieu of pov- 
erty and bankruptcy. It is not strange that young 
Christians say, as I remember I used to, sometimes, 

" I wonder why old saints don't sing, 
And make the heavenly arches ring 
With loud hosannas to their King." 

The love of Jesus gladdens the soul as naturally 
as fire produces heat. Everything about it is joy- 
ful : no sorrow, no gloom, not even a shadow ; its 
fruits are " love, joy, and peace." So that when 



64 BRINGING IN SUEAVES. 

the fullaess of Christ's love is ours, we cannot be 
unhappy, anywhere, living or dying. " Great peace 
have they which love thy law." 

Home is pleasanter ; friends are dearer ; life is 
worth more ; the business, the social, and the do- 
mestic relations, all things around and above, are 
made brighter by this love. 

What Christian, then, who is not now resting in 
Jesus by faith, does not desire to join in David's 
prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salva- 
tion?" 

Another reason w^hy we should enjoy the fullness 
of Christ's love is : We dishonor him every hour 
w^e live without it. 

The Christian represents Jesus to the world. 
He bears his image. If he wears a gloomy, sad 
face, the unconverted are repelled from his Mas- 
ter. 

Men must judge of religion by those who are 
considered its possessors ; and they will embrace 
or reject it according to the manner in which it is 
exhibited before them. 

If I were to carry from a picture gallery the 
photograph of a man well known to you, as one 
who always wore a bright, happy fjice, and yet the 
picture represented him with a sad, gloomy expres- 
sion, would you not, although there w^ere traces of 
the man's features in the picture, go reluctantly, if 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 65 

at all, to that gallery for your own picture? What 
greater injury conlcl I do that establishment than 
by carrying about that picture ? 

So, when a Christian carries about a sad, dejected 
countenance, he misrepresents religion : the im- 
penitent, especially the young among them, say, 
when they see his gloomy face, "Eeligion may be 
good for the aged, the sick, and the dying, but not 
for the youthful and the vigorous." 

O, how wrong this impression ! Keligion is, in- 
deed, good for the sick, the dying, and the aged, 
and still better for those in health, and for those in 
the morning of life ! 

My dear Christian friend, you have no right to 
be seen anywhere, either on the street or at your 
home, at the social gathering or about your busi- 
ness, wearing a gloomy face. 

Do you ask, "Would you not have us weep?" 
Most certainly you should weep. Jesus wept ; the 
apostles wept ; the prophets wept ; Christians, in all 
ages, have wept ; a heart that embraces in its sym- 
pathies the wants and woes of a world cannot help 
w^eeping. We were unworthy the name of men 
and women, much more that of Christians, did we 
never weep. Bat let our tears run over a shining 
face ; let all see that religion makes our hearts 
peaceful and happy, even while we weep over lost 
sinners, or mourn the death of our loved ones. 

5 



66 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

" From those celestial springs 

Such streams of pleasure flow, 
As no increase of riches brings, 
Nor honors can bestow." 

Only, then, when the Christian has the fullness 
of Christ's love in his heart does he truly represent 
religion ; his first duty, therefore, to Jesus and to 
the world, is, to obtain this blessing, this unfailing 
source of constant peace and joy and well-doing. 
Nothing has such an effect on the wicked. 

If I were preaching in a house that would accom- 
modate thousands of people, and wished to see it 
filled, and to hear within its walls the cries of anx- 
ious souls, I would not rely upon eloquence, or 
argument, or eccentricities, but rather upon gather- 
ing around me a company of Christians who were 
living in the full enjoyment of religion. Every 
countenance would be lighted up with happiness, 
and the only way in which young converts could be 
distinguished from older Christians would be by 
the fact that the latter were the brighter and hap- 
pier of the two classes, inasmuch as they knew 
and enjoyed more of Christ's love. 

The wricked, cold professors, people of every 
class, would surely be attracted, and the place 
crowded, for happiness, like a magnet, attracts 
people towards its possessor, and the happiness 
of the Christian the most powerfully of all, 



BRING ma IN SHEAVES. 67 

since it is the purest, the deepest, and the only 
abiding. 

And it would not be long before you would hear 
some impenitent man say, "I hope the minister will 
not do all the talking to-night ; I want to hear the 
deacons, and those Christians who have been mem- 
bers of the church so many years, they do look so 
happy." 

Another would say, " There is deacon B. ; I heard 
him speak last night ; his voice, manner, and coun- 
tenance seemed different from w^hat they used to. 
I know he is enjoying religion, and I wish I w^as, 
it does make these Christians so happy. 

"There is that man just in front of the pulpit; 
and, by the way, I have not seen him sit there, be- 
fore, in a long time ; he used to be very stiff and 
solemn — never laughed himself, and never wanted 
others to laugh ; but now he looks genial, humble, 
and happy, and really seems to love everybody, and 
to desire to see them feel and look happy. I like 
him now ; in fact, I believe I used to judge him 
too severely." 

Thus does the happy Christian make religion at- 
tractive. He is a different man from what he was 
when he did not have the joy of religion ; 

" Jesus, all the day long, 
Is his joy and his song. 

His power over wicked men has increased a hun- 



68 J3RINGING IN SHEA VES. 

dred fold. It is the power of love — glowing, 
burning love to Jesus and to a lost world. He 
is DO longer a shrinking, cringing disciple : that 
wicked timidity, behind which he used to hide and 
excuse himself from duty, is gone. A humble but 
holy boldness has taken its place. 

Like the sun, he throws off light and warmth 
along his path. In his home and in his business he 
makes all about him more happy, and attracts them 
towards Jesus. 

I recall a striking illustration of this : During a 
meeting in w^hich I was engaged in one of the sub- 
urban towns of Boston, a lady, connected with one 
of the city churches, but residing in that place, 
found she was not the humble, happy Christian she 
once was. She came to me, asking how she might 
obtain anew the joy of salvation ; she felt she loved 
Jesus, but so faintly that the warmth and power of 
that love were gone. The conflict was long and 
severe. On one occasion, she said to me, "My 
husband has becorae sceptical. He rejects the 
Bible. It is of no use to speak to him. I have 
scarcely any hope of his being converted. But, O 
that I could enjoy the Savior's love as I used to ! " 

At length the desire of her heart was granted, 
and all the joy of her first love to Jesus was re- 
stored to her. 

And now, though she had been a Christian, and 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 69 

a kind, careful wife and mother, she seemed almost 
like another person. The false representations of 
religion were ended. Its sweetness and happiness 
shone in eveiy feature of her face, gave melody to 
the tones of her voice, and added a new charm to 
all she did. 

She went about the house singing the songs of 
Zion. Anything that was not sinful, that would 
make her husband happier and her home pleasanter, 
she cheerfully performed, saying but little, how- 
ever, about the change in her feelings ; she did not 
need to, it was so apparent. Her husband saw it, 
and compared her present state with her past. 
Somehow this led him to look into his own heart. 
The conviction was forced upon him that religion 
was a reality, and one he could not do without. - 

Some four days after this change in his wife, I 
called on him, to learn why he rejected the Bible 
and religion. I asked him to be frank with me, 
and tell me if he had no desire to be a Christian. 

He replied, "Mr. Earle, I have said nothing 
about it to my wife ; but, sir, I feel I am a lost 
sinner, and if you will pray for me, I will kneel 
down with you right here." And, pointing to his 
wife, who was at that moment passing through the 
room, with the tears on her bright face, he con- 
tinued, "That woman, my own dear wife, has had 
more power over me for a few days past than 



70 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

everything else put together. She has been a 
professor of religion for years, but I knew she 
did not enjoy religion ; and I said, if that was all 
there was in religion, 1 did not want it. But, for 
the last few days, she has looked and acted almost 
like an angel ; and, sir, I cannot stand it ; there is 
a power in her sweet, happy face that melts my 
heart. I cannot withstand the attraction of such a 
religion." 

And all this because the joy of salvation was re- 
stored to the heart of that Christian wife ! O, the 
power of Christ's love when it burns and glows in 
the heart ! 

And perhaps some pious wife who hears me 
now has gone alone to the table of our Lord, for 
many long years, just because her love to Jesus 
has been feeble and faint, and, consequently, her 
representation of religion unattractive and false. 

Some of these parents have not seen their chil- 
dren converted, for no other reason than that they 
have not had the joy of salvation filling their hearts 
and running over in their lives ; they are Christ's 
own redeemed ones, but do not live as becomes his 
family, every member of which ought to be a well- 
spring of joy, pouring its streams of gladness into 
every heart within its reach. • 

So, in every department of Christian labor and 
responsibility, believers fail of success for this same 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 71 

reason ; they may work and pray much, but all 
avails very little if the fullness of Christ's love be 
wanting. 

Another reason why Christians should enjoy the 
fullness of Christ's love is, The church cannot other- 
wise take care of converts. 

In the divine arrangement, the church is the 
mother of Christ's redeemed children. 

The most suitable place for the new-born babe is 
in its mother's arms. The infant Moses was, by 
the appointment of God, returned to his mother to 
be nursed, inasmuch as she loved him most, and 
would, therefore, give him the best care. 

So God has ordered that the church shall take 
care of and nourish the young converts. The re- 
quisite love and sources of nourishment have beeii 
given by him to the church, and to her alone. So 
that if she is negligent of her converts, they have 
no other resource, and will droop, and sink into 
a state of inactivity and spiritual death. 

If, then, the church loses the warmth of her love 
to Christ, and becomes cold, she commits a great 
wrong, inasmuch as she can never do her duty to 
her members, nor take care of young converts, 
should they connect with her, if she is in a luke- 
warm state. 

It is on this account that many young members 
become indifferent to the ordinances of God's house, 



72 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

forsake the prayer-meeting, and finally leave the 
church of Christ altogether ; so that the guilt, in 
part, rests upon the older members. They did not 
enjoy the fullness of Christ's love. 

It is plainly the duty, therefore, of every Chris- 
tian who does not now enjoy the fullness of Christ's 
love, to offer, from the depths of the heart, the 
prayer of our text. "Restore unto me the joy of 
thy salvation ; " not only that he may teach trans- 
gressors the way of salvation, and see sinners con- 
verted unto God, but also that converts may be 
nourished and tenderly cared for when they come 
into the church. 

So true it is that Christians cannot do their duty 
towards young converts unless they are enjoying 
the fullness of Christ's love. 

This is still more important for a minister. He 
can bring into his sermons no substitute for the 
warm, glowing love of Jesus. 

He may become pale and careworn with study ; 
he may visit and labor among his people ; he may 
give his time and talents entirely to the work ; but 
yet he will not be successful in winning souls until 
his heart is filled with holy love. 

Christ will say to him, as he did to the church at 
Ephesus, "I have somewhat against thee, because 
thou hast left thy first love." He had but one 
thing against them, — they did not love him as 
they once did. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 73 

And ill -the case of the Laodiceans, he would 
rather have them array themselves against him than 
live in a lukewarm condition. 

And it is not uncommon to see churches dying 
out, apparently because they are in the same state 
as those two ancient churches. Their members do 
not enjoy religion ; the love of Christ is a mere 
spark on the hearthstone of their hearts, and, 
consequently, they will not and cannot do their 
duty to those around them. 

From such churches Christ seems to turn away, 
not only because he is grieved, but also because 
they are fruitless, and a dishonor to his cause. 

Many a minister of good talents and character, 
and who is willing to work hard in his calling, is 
moving about from place to place, unsuccessful, 
and unable often to obtain even a support, because 
his heart is not filled with the love of Christ. But 
let him obtain that blessing and he becomes a new 
man. The tone of his voice is changed ; his coun- 
tenance beams with peace ; his heart is warm ; his 
preaching tender and persuasive ; even his old ser- 
mons are delivered with a new and strange power 
and charm ; the empty seats in his church till up ; 
new and warmer friends gather about him ; con- 
versions are continually occurring under his labors, 
and the people say, " He seems like another man." 

The love of Jesus has developed, warmed, and 



74 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

energized all his powers, and made him humble, 
and yet courageous for the truth. 

The Spirit has opened his eyes, that he may un- 
derstand the Scriptures. He has been " endued 
from on high " with the power of love. The blessed 
Spirit accompanies all his labors. He gathers many 
souls into the " fold," has a foretaste of heaven 
while here on earth, and, at last, goes to his final 
reward, where he hears the Master say, " Well 
done." 

An incident in my own experience, some twenty 
years ago, taught me a lesson I shall never forget : 

I commenced a series of meetings in a town in 
New York, with the Congregational and Baptist 
churches united. I thought myself fully prepared 
for the work, and entered into it looking for imme- 
diate and large results. 

My first aim was to preach so as to lead the 
churches nearer to Christ. Accordingly I prepared 
five sermons for Christians, as clear and pointed as 
I knew how to make themo The first four had no 
apparent effect. I wondered at it. The fifth was 
prepared with a scorpion in the lash ; it was a 
severe one, and the last harsh sermon I have 
preached, and the last I ever expect to preach; 
but this, too, was powerless. 

I then went to my closet, and there on my knees 
asked Jesus what could be the difficulty with those 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 75 

Christians. It did not enter my mind that the 
trouble could be anywhere else than among them. 
I had preached with tears in my eyes, and been 
anxious to see a revival, and had no thought but 
that the preacher was in a right state. But there 
in my closet God revealed to me my own heart, 
showing me that the difficulty was with myself, and 
not with the church ; I found myself as cold as those 
I was trying to benefit. My tears, even in the pul- 
pit, had been like water running from the top of a 
cake of ice w^hen the warm rays of the sun are fall- 
ing upon its surface, but which becomes hard and 
cold again as soon as the sun goes down. 

I told the Congregational pastor of what I had 
discovered, and asked him the condition of his own 
heart. He frankly confessed that he was in the 
same state as myself. 

We prayed together several times. I felt that I 
could not live in that state and accomplish much. 
Accordingly I went home and shut myself in my 
room, resolved to spend the night in prayer, if 
necessary. O, the struggle of that night ! Hour 
after hour I wrestled alone with God. My heart 
had been full of coldness, and I not aware of it. 
No wonder the churches had not come up to the 
work ! I renewedly and repeatedly gave myself ip 
the Savior, determined not to let the angel depart 
until my heart was filled and melted with the love 



76 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

of Jesus. Towards morning the victory came. The 
ice was all broken, melted, and carried away; the 
warmth and glow of my " first love " filled my 
heart ; the current of feeling was changed and 
deepened ; the joy of salvation was restored. 

In the morning I went out, took the unconverted 
by the hand, and said the same things as on days 
previous ; but now they were melted to tears over 
their sin and danger. 

I prepared and preached another sermon to the 
churches — no lash, nothing harsh about it. They 
broke down, confessed their own need of a special 
preparation of heart, and gave themselves anew to 
the work, which from that hour went forward 
rapidly and successfully. 

Thus I learned the necessity of having my heart 
filled with the love of Christ, if I would see the 
salvation of the Lord follow my labors. 

Since then I have spoken kindly of ministers 
w^ho do not see the conversions for which they 
labor. Yet I am convinced, and more and more 
every year, that generally the fault is in the min- 
ister's own heart, — coldness, growing out of the 
absence of the joy of salvation. 

I have thus tried to present some of the reasons 
why Christians should enjoy the fullness of Christ's 
love. We ought to look upon it as the greatest 
privilege, the most desirable of all our blessings, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 77 

rather than as a duty from which we, perhaps, would 
turn away, if we could ; for we do not attain solid 
happiness, abiding rest, and sweet peace until the 
fullness of that love is ours. O, how differently, too, 
everything looks to us then ! Our complaints cease ; 
we cannot retain hard feelings towards any one ; all 
is peace and love at home and away from home ; 
and we speak tenderly even of those we think have 
done us an injury. 

In a town where I was engaged in a meeting, 
several members had left the church because of a 
certain resolution it had passed. One of them 
came to me one evening, as I was about to dismiss 
the congregation, and, with much earnestness, 
asked me to request the church to wait a few 
minutes, until he had (to use his own words) 
" given them a blowing up ; they have abused me," 
said he, "and cannot be blessed until they acknowl- 
edge it, and undo what they have done." I asked 
him if he would not defer his speech, inasmuch as 
it would have an injurious effect on the meetings 
just at that stage in their progress. He consented 
to wait a few days. He came again at the expira- 
tion of the time ; but again was prevailed upon to 
wait. He was a good man, and I knew if God 
restored unto him the joy of salvation, he would 
feel and talk differently. 

Before long his wife came forward for prayer. I 



78 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

asked him to pray for her. He did so ; and in that 
prayer the draft was opened for the fire to burn in 
his bosom, and, in a short time, the love of Christ 
filled his heart. 

Everything then began to look differently to him. 
All his old love for the church came back. Again 
he asked to speak to the church. The privilege 
was readily granted. With a happy face and a 
humble, loving spirit, he said to them, " If you can 
consent to receive me back, I will return, and will 
say nothing about my old complaint — I am satisfied 
to let it pass." So changed did everything seem, 
when he had the joy of religion in his heart. 

My dear Christian hearer, let me ask. Are you 
now enjoying the fullness of Christ's love? Were 
you ever nearer Jesus than you are at present ? Have 
you that same tender, happy heart you once had ? 
Or is it the case that you were never very happy 
in Jesus' love ? In either case, — whether you have 
less love and joy than you once had, or have never 
known much happiness in your religious experience, 
— do not rest until you can say, " My cup runneth 
over." The effort to regain your first love may, 
and no doubt will, cost you more than it did to be 
converted. You will be like a man who has 
strayed away from his lantern — he must travel in 
the dark, until he finds it. Or like the woman 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 79 

spoken of in the gospel, who, having lost one of her 
ten pieces of silver, was obliged to search long and 
diligently, making at the same time all her other 
property and labors secondary, until she found it ; 
but she found it at length, and was happy — so happy 
that she called her friends and neighbors together to 
rejoice with her ; and you will be happy when you 
have regained the joy of salvation, and you will 
want those around you to rejoice with you. 

Let me, then, in conclusion, say to each believer 
who is within the sound of my voice. Be thorough 
in the examination of the state of your heart ; not 
now as to the evidences of your hope, but as to 
your love to Jesus, — whether you have all your first 
love, and all the increase thereof which you may 
and ought to have. Is it as pleasant and as easy 
as it used to be to speak to the impenitent, and 
warn them of their danger? Are the closet and 
the prayer-meeting as dear to you as they once 
were? If not, let me urge you to go to Jesus, as 
you did when you felt yourself a lost sinner. Ask 
Christians to pray with and for you. Do not offer 
another cold, half-hearted prayer to God. Go 
down to the lowest door of mercy, and knock, and 
seek, and ask importunately, until you feel your 
heart running over with the fullness of Jesus' love, 
and then ask and receive the grace to abide in that 



go BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

blessed condition until you are transferred to that 
home on high where there is fullness of joy for- 
evermore. 

" If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, 
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done 
unto you." 

Amen. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 81 



CHAPTER VI, 



INCIDENTS. 



«Ma, give him my two ONE-DOLLAES." 

AT the close of a series of meetings in Spring- 
field, Mass., a mother handed me a little 
girl's picture wrapped in two one-dollar bills, 
at the same time relating the following touching 
incident : — 

Her only child, at the age of six years, gave her 
heart to the Savior, giving, as the pastor with 
whom I was laboring said, the clearest evidence 
of conversion. 

At once she went to her mother and said, "Ma, 
I have given my heart to Jesus and he has received 
me ; now, won't you give your heart to him ? " 
(The parents were both unconverted at the time.) 
The mother replied, " I hope I shall some time, dear 
Mary." The little girl said, « Do it now, ma," 
and urged the mother, with all her childlike earnest- 
ness, to give herself to the Savior then. 
6 



82 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

Finding she could not prevail in that way, she 
sought to secure a promise from her mother, feel- 
ing sure she would do what she promised ; for her 
parents had made it a point never to make her a 
promise without carefully fulfilling it. So time 
after time she would say, " Promise me, ma ; " and 
the mother would reply, " I do not like to promise 
you, Mary, for fear I shall not fulfill." 

This request was urged at times for nearly six 
years, and finally the little petitioner had to die to 
secure the promise. 

Several times during her sickness the parents 
came to her bedside to see her die, saying to her, 
" You are dying now, dear Mary." But she would 
say, "No, ma, I can't die till you promise me." 
Still her mother was unwilling to make the promise, 
lest it should not be kept. She intended to give 
her heart to Jesus some time, but was unwilling to 
do it " now." 

Mary grew worse, and finally had uttered her last 
word on earth : her mother was never again to hear 
that earnest entreaty, "Promise me, ma." 

But the little one's spirit lingered, as if it were 
detained by the angel sent to lead her mother to 
Jesus, that the long-sought promise might be heard 
before it took its flight. 

The weeping mother stood watching the counte- 
nance of the dying child, who seemed to say, by her 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 83 

look, "Ma, promise me, and let me go to Jesus." 
There was a great struggle in her heart as she said 
to herself, " Why do I not promise this child ? I 
mean to give my heart to Jesus ; why not now ? If 
I do not promise her now, I never can." 

The Spirit inclined her heart to yield. She 
roused her child, and said, " Mary, I will give my 
heart to Jesus." This was the last bolt to be 
drawn ; her heart was now open, and Jesus entered 
at once, and she felt the joy and peace of sins 
forgiven. 

This change was so marked, she felt constrained 
to tell the good news to her child, that she might 
bear it with her when she went to live with Jesus ; 
so, calling her attention once more, she said, 
"Mary, I have given my heart to Jesus, and he 
is my Savior now." 

For six years Mary had been praying to God 
and pleading wdth her mother for these words ; and 
now, as they fell upon her ear, a peaceful smile 
lighted up her face, and, no longer able to speak, 
she raised her little, pale hand, and pointing upward, 
seemed to say, "Ma, we shall meet up there." 
Her life's work was done, and her spirit returned 
to Him who gave it. 

The mother's heart was full of peace, though her 
loved one had gone. She now felt very anxious that 
her husband should have this blessing which she 
found in Chri^^t. 



84 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

The parents went into the room where the 
remains were resting, to look upon the face of her 
who slept so sweetly in death, when the mother 
said, "Husband, I promised our little Mary that 
I would give my heart to Jesus, and he has 
received me. Now, won't you promise?" 

The Holy Spirit was there. The strong man 
resisted for a while, then yielded his will, and 
taking the little cold hand in his, kneeled and said, 
" Jesus, I will try to seek thee." 

The child's remains were laid in the grave. The 
parents were found in the house of prayer — the 
mother happy in Jesus, and the father soon having 
some evidence of love to Christ. 

When I closed my labors in Springfield, Dr. Ide 
said to his congregation, "I hope you will all give 
brother Earle some token of your regard for his 
services before he leaves." As this mother heard 
these words, she said she could, as it were, see her 
little Mary's hand pointing down from heaven, and 
hear her sweet voice saying, " Ma, give him my 
two one-dollars." 

Those two one-dollars I have now, wrapped 
around the picture of that dear child, and wherever 
I go, little Mary will speak for the Savior. 

Eeader, is there not some loved one now point- 
ing down from heaven and saying to you, " Give 
your heart to Jesus " ? Are you loving some 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 85 

earthly object more than Jesus ? God may sever 
that tie — may take away your little Mary, . or 
Willie, or some dear friend. Will you not come 
to Jesus, without such a warning? 

« Try it on me." 

We were in the midst of an interesting series of 
meetings in Oneonta, New York. Among those 
attending from no promising motives, was Mr. 
Olin, a lawyer of marked ability and influence in 
the town. 

One evening, at the close of the sermon, when an 
opportunity was given for remarks, Mr. Olin rose, 
and, in a bold and defiant tone, said, " Mr. Earle, I 
have heard you speak repeatedly in these meetings 
of the 'power of prayer,' and I don't believe a word 
of it; but if you want to try a hard case, take me." 
I said, "Mr. Olin, if you will come to the front 
seat, we will pray for you now." He replied, "I 
will do nothing of the kind ; but if you have ' power 
in prayer,' try it on me." 

Before closing the meeting, I requested all who 
were willing, to go to their closets at a given hour, 
and pray earnestly for Mr. Olin ; and I requested 
him to remember, at that hour, that we were pray- 
ing for him. 

The second or third evening after this, Mr. Olin 



86 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

rose in our meeting, and urged us to pray for him. 
I asked him if he would come forward and let us 
pray with him; he said, "Yes, anywhere, if God 
will only have mercy on so great a sinner." In a 
few days he was a rejoicing Christian, and soou 
after sold his law books, and became a preacher of 
the gospel. He is now a presiding elder in the 
Methodist church. 

" Sh^J will never call me < father' again." 

A few years ago I was laboring in a town in the 
State of New York. Living near the place was a 
man bitterly opposed to religion and religious 
meetings — an enemy of Jesus, though a kind 
father. He could not be induced to attend our 
meetings or seek the Savior. 

The idol of his heart was a little daughter, just 
beginning to call him father. When at home, he 
spent much of his time holding or carrying her 
about the house ; so that whenever he came in 
sight, she would hold up her little hands and say, 
"Pa, come," or "Pa, take me." He loved to hear 
that voice, and heed that call, but the gentle call of 
the " still, small voice " found no answer in his 
heart, until God severed the delicate cords that 
bound little Josephine to earth. 

God seemed to place her coffin across the father's 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 87 

life-path, to warn him of death and a judgment to 
come. 

At her funeral I made some remarks from these 
words, " Suffer little children to come nnto me." 
I said, "Parents, if you want your little children 
tenderly cared for, if you wish to give them every 
possible opportunity, for intellectual and moral im- 
provement, if you want to know they are in the 
best society — Jesus says, Let them come and live 
with me." 

At the close of the services in the house, the 
coffin was placed on a table in the yard, that the 
large number present might look upon the face 
of the little sleeper, as she lay among the beauti- 
ful flowers arranged by loving hands. > 

When all others had looked at the remains, the 
father came to look for the last time upon the face 
of her whom he had loved so tenderly. For a few 
moments he stood in silence, looking upon that 
marble countenance, his tears falling upon her face ; 
then, as if his grief could be endured no longer, 
he sobbed out, in the most heart-rending manner, 
" She will never call me * father ' again ! She will, 
never call me * father ' again ! " 

All around him were weeping. 

When asked if the coffin could be closed, he 
replied, " No, you must not close this coffin." " O, 
the little darling will never call me ' father ' again ! " 



88 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

He finally consented to have the coflin closed. 

I went to the grave ; and, returning to his home, 
was sitting with him in his parlor, when he saw 
some book or plaything belonging to his daughter, 
and, springing up and walking the floor, he ex- 
claimed, " She will never call me * father ' again." 

Asking his attention for a few moments, I said 
to him, "I am not sure your little Josephine will 
never call you ' father ' again. She is now walking 
the 'golden streets,' and perhaps is this moment 
saying, * I wish my dear father was up here — it is 
so beautiful.' If you should be converted and go 
to heaven, the very first voice you would hear on 
your arrival there might be your loved Josephine's, 
saying, ' O, my dear father, have you come to live 
with me in heaven ? ' " 

Soon he became calm, and appeared tht>ughtful 
for a while, and then deliberately said, "By the 
grace of God I will seek Jesus ; I will." He 
sought and found a precious Savior, was found in 
the house of prayer, and the last I knew of him, 
was preaching the glorious gospel of the blessed 
God; and little Josephine, who is waiting "across 
the river," may again call him " fiither." 

"E'en the hour that darkest seemeth 
Will his changeless goodness prove; 
Trom the gloom his brightness streameth; 
God is wisdom, God is love." 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. §9 



CHAPTEE Vn. 

HEVIYAL GLEANINGS — CONTINUED. 

AMSTERDAM, N. Y. — Afc the urgent request 
of Christians of different denominations, I 
commenced a series of meetings in Sanford Hall, 
April 22, 1858. 

In several of the churches, meetings had been 
held nearly every evening, for some months, and 
only one hopeful conversion reported during the 
time. 

Many had been earnestly praying for a few influ- 
ential men in the place, thinking if they were 
converted the whole community would be moved. 
But this did not seem to be God's plan. 

For many days thick darkness surrounded the 
meeting. The wicked seemed to say to Christians, 
" Where is your God ? " 

Alter two weeks of hard labor, God showed us 
that the cause of the delay was not the hardness of 
wicked men. 

Though Christians had been active, and were 



90 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

still ready to make any sacrifice for souls, yet they 
lacked power with God, and, consequently, with 
men. But they could not be easily convinced that 
they were not ready for a revival of religion. 
Many said they were fully in the work, and did not 
know why the blessing was delayed. 

Early one morning, all who were willing to lay 
all on God's altar anew, and seek the fullness of 
his love, met in the hall, and, without any known 
reservation, made a new consecration. They now 
asked God to convert the men so long prayed for, 
or in any other way revive his work. 

The offering was then and there accepted, and 
one soul was born into the kingdom during that 
morning meeting. At once the Spirit filled all the 
place where we were assembled. 

Instead of the influential men, a group of chil- 
dren and youth first sought and found the Savior. 
These young converts now became God's laborers 
to bring their parents and others to Jesus. It was 
an affecting scene when the children rose, and, 
with tearful eyes, requested prayers for fathers or 
mothers, brothers or sisters. 

Soon the hall was so crowded that outsiders said, 
" The building will fall ; it is not safe for so many 
to enter it." 

One of the first to bow in submission to Jesus 
was a young lawyer, who had said to a pious parent, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 91 

« Mother, don't make a fool of yourself by asking 
prayers for your husband and children." That son 
became an earnest worker in the cause of Christ, 
and has since passed to his heavenly home. 

Joy and peace now filled the hearts of God's 
people, more than compensating for their previous 
anxiety. The impenitent seemed awed and sub- 
dued by the sensible presence of the Spirit. 

A young man remarked to one who had been an 
active worker in the meetings from the first, " I 
supposed religion made one gloomy ; but the last 
few nights at the hall have convinced me that 
Christians have joys sinners know nothing of." 
The young man has since fallen in battle, and the 
brother to whom he made this remark has also gone 
to his reward. 

Among the rich fruits of that "hall meeting" 
was the oro^anization of a Younsr Men's Christian 
Association, which has been kept up for ten years, 
with great interest and profit. 

A Saturday evening prayer meeting, started at 
that time, has been sustained through all these years 
by the young ladies, who have felt that it was " a 
sweet hour of prayer." 



Abington, Mass. — With its four villages, some- 
what noted for good schools and large shoe manu- 
factories, Abington, like any manufacturing town. 



92 BRINOING IN SHEA VES. 

is an important centre of influence, since it employs 
many persons whose homes are in other towns, and 
who, consequently, carry away with them the good 
or evil influences received. Hence the added im- 
portance of the great awakening throughout this 
town in the winter of 1856-57. 

The meetings began in that part called East 
Abington. 

The congregation at first was very small. It 
was at a thinly attended afternoon meeting that 
the few praying ones seemed to "get hold of God," 
as it were, with a feeling that their prayers had 
been heard, and the power of God was about to be 
felt in the town. During the progress of this 
afternoon meeting, a scoffing infidel, in his store, 
was so wrought upon by the Spirit of God, — had 
such a sense of his sinfulness, and felt so certain 
that he must spend eternity in the world of despair, 
— that he thought he would go out and end his 
present miseries by taking his own life. But his 
second thought was, that there would be no use in 
that; he recollected to have heard Christians say 
that the worst of sinners might find pardon and 
peace in Christ, and he said, "I will accept Christ 
as my Savior, and devote myself to his service." 
God heard the prayer which followed that resolu- 
tion ; and at our meeting in the evening we were 
much surprised and rejoiced, when he stood before 
us, a witness of God's pardoning grace. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 93 

A wealthy business man in the place had left his 
office for a game of billiards. With the game un- 
finished he went home to dine, and before leaving 
his house went into the cellar to arrange his 
furnace ; and while there was so stricken down 
under the power of God, that he felt hardly able 
to leave the house, but thought he must go and 
finish his game. As he went out, he met at the 
gate the converted infidel, spoken of above, who 
said to him, " Come with me to meeting." He re- 
plied, "I will;" and went, and became a follower 
of Jesus. He is to-day a strong pillar in the Con- 
gregational church. 

South Abington. — Here was to be a trial of faith: 
The way seemed fully prepared, the people ready. 
A large number gathered at our first meeting, and 
I said we might look for a great work of grace ; 
that we would soon see the aisles filled. We went 
home that night with glad hearts, confident that the 
work was going right on with great success. 

But the next morning all was changed. A ter- 
rible snow-storm had shut us out of the church and 
in our homes. 

For six successive days I preached in a private 
parlor at my boarding-place, only a few rods from 
the church, to perhaps ten or fifteen persons. 

About the seventh day the snow had melted and 



94 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

drifts settled so that the church was opened, and 
we came together again. 

But the Spirit of God had been at work upon 
the hearts of the people while they were shut up at 
home. 

The Lord had made " the clouds his chariot," the 
storm and tempest messengers of his coming. 

No time seemed to have been lost. At the first 
or second meeting one hundred persons requested 
our prayers for their conversion. And for weeks 
the work went forward with increasing power, de- 
veloping Christian zeal and love, and carrying the 
joy of pardon to all ages and classes among the 
kind people of that quiet village. 

Center Abington. — The meetings here were in 
the Congregational church, and were much like 
those in other parts of the town, except that a 
larger proportion of the converts were men hard- 
ened in sin, and«whom we least expected. 

One young man, who professed to be a Univer- 
salist, came into the meeting one evening for the 
purpose of getting something to make sport of, as 
he afterwards told us. But he went out, at the 
close of the service, under deep conviction for sin, 
was converted, and is now preaching the everlasting 
gospel. 

Men almost given up as hopeless knelt among 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 95 

the anxious, by the side of little children from the 
Sabbath school, and together they were heard re- 
joicing in hope. Many were the homes gladdened 
by this precious work of grace. Around some 
hearthstones the family gathered for the first time 
to establish an altar of prayer; in many others, 
new voices joined in the sacred services. 

It may be interesting to some to know how I 
came to labor in Abington, inasmuch as my first 
meeting in the State of Massachusetts was held in 
this town. 

Brother William Everett, at that time pastor of a 
small church in the town, had previously met me in 
New York, and from that time had felt a great de- 
sire to have me labor with him. But his church 
being small, and hardly able to meet current 
expenses, he did not feel free to ask me to help 
him. 

Still he did not give up the hope of some time 
having the meeting ; and, while he considered the 
subject and prayed over it, his prayers were an- 
swered, and a way opened in a manner quite differ- 
ent from his expectations. 

One of Boston's well known Christian merchants, 
an active and generous leader among the laymen of 
the Baptist denomination, spent a night with brother 
Everett, and during the evening was made ac- 
quainted with the wants of the church and the de- 



96 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

sire of the pastor. The next morning he handed 
fifty dollars to brother Everett, saying, " Send for 
brother Earle to come and preach fifty dollars' 
worth." The gift was accepted, farther arrange- 
ments made, and, before many months, the town was 
enjoying the precious revival just sketched. Eter- 
nity alone can reveal the influence of that fifty 
dollars, given to promote the cause of the Ee- 
deemer, by one who was then a stranger to me, 
but now one of my dearest and most valued friends, 
George W. Chipman. 

Haverhill, Mass. — The " Boston Recorder " 
(since united with the " Congregationalist ") said 
of this meeting, "The revival of religion in this 
vicinity has been, thus far, one of unusual interest 
and power. Rev. Mr. Earle commenced preaching 
in the Third Baptist church (Rev. B. Wheeler's), 
in Haverhill, the latter part of April. . . . Short- 
ly after the .coming of Mr. Earle, ^yq, churches 
(three Congregational and two Baptist) joined in a 
union meeting under his special direction. 

" The meetings were held in the different places 
of worship belonging to these churches, as circum- 
stances seemed to require. They had hardly begun 
before marked tokens of the Spirit's presence were 
manifest, especially upon the members of the 
churches. Great solemnity, a new spirit of self- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 97 

consecration, of humility, of devotion, seemed to 
fill all hearts. 

" Soon sinners became anxious, the inquiry 
meetings began to be numerously attended, con- 
versions multiplied, and the whole community was 
shaken as by the power of God. 

"More than two hundred inquirers and recent 
converts were gathered in one room more than once 
during these meetings. There was little need of 
urging persons to make themselves known as in- 
quirers, for multitudes seemed anxious to take any 
and every step that might help them to come to 
Christ. 

"There was no noisy excitement, no groanings 
or outcries ; but there were tears, and prayers, and 
earnest exhortations, and pungent sermons, and 
clear, pointed directions to the sinner, and deep, 
solemn earnestness. 

" The result has been most happy in this entire 
community. The number of conversions I cannot 
state exactly. Judging from observation among 
my own people, I should think there must be from 
three to four hundred in this immediate vicinity, 
that, in the judgment of charity, have passed from 
death unto life. . . . 

" Almost all the pupils in the Female Academy 
ut Bradford, that were not already Christians, have 
during this revival become hopefully converted. 
7 



98 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

"The work now seems to be extending to the 
towns around us, and some two hundred hopeful 
converts are reported from the different churches 
within ten or fifteen miles of us." 

At the close of the meetings in Haverhill, the 
pastors, and recent converts and others, united 
with me in visiting some of the churches in the 
country around. Large wagons were fitted up, 
some of them carrying fifty persons, and in this 
way we visited five churches, holding meetings 
through one day and evening with each. I 
preached short sermons, after which those Chris- 
tians accompanying me talked, and prayed, and 
sung. God blessed these means wonderfully, in 
the quickening of Christians and the conversion of 
sinners, until it was believed there were three 
hundred conversions in the country aroiuid Ha- 
verhill. 

After visiting these different churches, a final, 
closing meeting was held in the large town hall, 
that we might have a few parting words, bid each 
other " God- speed," and separate to our homes. 
The ten churches with which I had labored were 
represented at this meeting. 

I have on my table a most interesting memento 
of the precious seasons enjoyed in Haverhill — a 
very large and richly bound album, holding two 
hundred photographs. One evening I was invited 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 99 

to attend a social gathering to be held in Music 
Hall. About six hundred persons were present, 
and in the course of the evening, this album, con- 
taining photographs of many of the young converts, 
of the pastors and other friends, was presented to 
me, accompanied by the best wishes and prayers 
of a large number of friends. 

In this album may be seen the picture of an old 
man bending over a book, as if in deep study, his 
hair almost white, his cheeks furrowed, his brow a 
little contracted, and over all a pleasant smile, 
indicating that there is within, that peace which 
"passeth all understanding." With his name and 
his works thousands are familiar. Many an hour 
has been spent by teacher and pupil studying and 
worrying over the questions which he has put forth. 
He has exerted a wide influence in the discipline of 
youthful minds, and his name is prominent among 
mathematicians. This good man was a constant 
attendant of our meetings, an active worker in the 
cause of Christ, a Christian gentleman. 

On my occasional visits to the Academy at Brad- 
ford, to converse with the young ladies on the 
subject of religion, he always chose to be my 
companion. Though he was still active in the 
Master's service, his work was almost done: to 
use the expression of good old father Porter, * he 
stood on the platform, satchel in hand, waiting for 
the heavenly train.' 



100 BRINGING IN SHEA VES 

Very soon after the close of our meeting the 
summons came, and he went home ; and there was 
transferred from the church-book of earth to that, 
of heaven the name of Benjamin Greenleaf. 

Fall Eiver, Mass. — Seventeen persons were 
present at my first meeting here ; at the closing 
meeting there were as many hundred. The interest, 
at first scarcely perceptible, steadily and rapidly 
increased up to the last night of the meeting. 

A very correct idea of these meetings may be 
gained from the following letter in the Kew York 
Observer, of February 21, 1863 : "We are enjoy- 
ing a glorious work of grace in this city. It com- 
menced in one of the Baptist churches with the 
labors of Rev. A. B. Earle, whose success as an 
evangelist has, for several years past, been so 
great. An invitation was extended by him and the 
church to the pastors and members of all evangel- 
ical churches in the city, to come in and labor 
together for a general revival throughout the city. 
A few members from difi'erent churches accepted 
the invitation, and became deeply interested in the 
work. . . . 

" The tokens of the approach of God, in his 
majesty and glory, became apparent. 'Behold, 
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity.' Soon the fruits began to 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 101 

appear. It was indeed a surjprise visit to many of 
our churches. The promise, * Before they call I 
will answer ; and while they are yet speaking I will 
hear,' was fully realized. 

" Soon converts began to be multiplied, and 
many were amazed and in doubt, saying one to 
another. What meaneth this ? Instead of the war 
and the condition of the country, which had been 
so long the all-engrossing theme, religion became 
the subject of conversation at the corners of the 
streets, the marts of business, and in the work- 
shops and mills. All classes and all ages were 
alike moved, from the little school-child to those 
who had grown gray in the service of Satan. Such 
was the j)Ower of the Spirit, that the strong oaks 
of Bashan were made to bow with as much ease as 
the willows by the watercourses. It is * the 
Lord's doing, and is marvellous in our eyes.' 

"In two of the seven churches visited, it was 
estimated there were one hundred conversions 
during the last week. Many remarkable answers 
to prayer, and many deeply interesting religious 
experiences, have come to our knowledge, but the 
limits of this communication will not allow of their 
being specified. Allow me to allude to one of the 
rich fruits of this blessed work. 

"Our High School is composed of advanced 
scholars, many of whom are being fitted for col- 



102 BRINGING IN SHEAVES 

lege, others for teachers, as well as other spheres 
of influence, and is, therefore, regarded with pecu- 
liar interest as containing the flower of our youth. 

"Last week was vacation, and many of the 
pupils attended the meetings and were converted. 
The principal, who, though regarded as a religious 
man, had never made a profession, nor taken an 
active part in religious meetings, entered upon his 
duties the present week, ' filled with the Spirit.' 

" The scene on Monday morning, on reopening 
the school, as related by him in one of our meet- 
ings, was one never to be forgotten. The opening 
exercises had been, reading the Scriptures and 
singing; but he proposed on this occasion adding 
jprayer also. He requested all to bow their heads 
upon their desks (with which request every one 
complied), while he led in a prayer, w^hich, as 
subsequently reported by one of his pupils, seemed 
divinely inspired. His own choked utterances 
were responded to by sobs and tears in every part 
of the house. When the time for recess arrived, 
there seemed to be no desire for the accustomed 
sports, but a request was made that one of the 
recitation-rooms might be occupied for a prayer 
meeting, where the recent converts spent the time 
in praying and laboring with their unconverted 
schoolmates, of whom fifteen or twenty were 
deeply anxious. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 103 

" It was ascertained that of ninety scholars be- 
longing to the school, forty-lSve were hopefully 
converted, many of whom were giving proof of 
their high vocation by their earnest labors to bring 
others to Jesus. Prayer continues to be offered 
each morning, and teachers and scholars are united 
in their efforts for the conversion of the whole 
school. 

" The work still goes on." 

It is believed that more than a thousand souls 
were born again as the fruit of this meeting, and 
more than half that number connected with the 
churches in the city, and man}^ with those in the 
vicinity. 

Washington, D. C. — The meeting in this city 
was at the time of the second inauguration of 
Abraham Lincoln, and yet was crowned with a 
large blessing. There were not so many conver- 
sions as in many other places, — only about one 
hundred having given me their names as among 
the converts ; still I think the work was glorious in 
its results. The city was full of strangers from all 
parts of our land ; many of them were reached by 
the meeting, and heavenly blessings were bestowed 
upon them, which they carried to their homes and 
made the means of good to others. 

Brave soldiers, heroes of many a battle-field, there 



104 BRINGING IN SHEA VES 

put on the " armor of God," and went away to be 
still better and braver soldiers, under the banner of 
Jesus. 

But of all the sweet memories of that meeting, 
which come crowding \nj mind and heart eager 
for expression, there is room in this sketch for 
but one : 

A few days after leaving the city there came to 
me the following cheering letter : — 

" Washington, D. C, March .25, 1865. 

" Dear Brother Earle : 

" Good news for you ! Night before last Hon. 
Amos Kendall rose in our meeting and said he 
believed he was converted many years ago, but 
obstacles arose which placed him in the dark. 
Since the meeting you held, he had been very 
much exercised. 

" After giving his views of religion, and the duty 
of all believers in Christ, he said he was determined 
for the balance of his life to be known as on the 
Lord's side, and wished to unite with the church. 
He referred to your sermon of last Sabbath, from 
the words, * Almost thou persuadest me to be a 
Christian.' " 

Mr. Kendall's reasons for uniting with the church 
may best be learned from one of his own letters ; 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 105 

and if they lead those similarly situated carefully 
to consider them, the publication of this incident 
will have accomplished its highest purpose : — 

" Washington, D. C, March 31, 1865. 

" Eev. a. B. Earle. 

" My dear Sir : . . . I have, ever since conver- 
sion, longed to see a Christian church, the members 
of which should live religion as well as profess it. 
In those who formed the * Calvary Baptist Church ' 
I thought I saw a company of sincere believers. 
They were poor, and, without any definite purpose 
to become one of them, I determined to aid them 
in working out their destiny. ... 

"The impulse which decided me to unite with 
them was, in part, a belief that I could do more 
good in the church than out of it, and in part, that 
my position was in efiect a standing argument with 
the world against Christianity. I felt that I was 
looked upon and spoken of as- a good man, but not 
a Christian ; involving the plain inference, that to be 
a good man it was not necessary to be a Christian. 

" But, my dear sir, I find it very hard to recover 
that blissful serenity which once .pervaded my 
whole nature. 

" I ask you to pray for me. 

Your friend, 

Amos Kendall." 



106 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

A year later, in a letter asking me to assist his 
pastor in a series of meetings, he writes with much 
more assurance — the " blissful serenity " of former 
days was restored. Obedience to Jesus had 
opened his heart to a stronger faith and love, and 
in their train had come joy and peace. The church 
had been to him a happy home ; and he had been to 
it an active and strong helper. 

Distinguished as have been the honors bestowed 
upon him for his services in our national affairs, 
and widely as he is known, his generous liberality 
towards the advancement of the Redeemer's cause 
will, I think, give a still more enduring honor and 
precious memory to the name of Amos Kendall. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 107 



CHAPTER Vni. 

INCIDENTS. 

Sermon on a Wood-pile. 

WHILE I was holding a series of union meet- 
ings in Manchester, N. H., in the early part 
of 1864, a boy, about fifteen years of age, who 
was living with a gentleman ten or twelve miles 
from the city, came to visit his widowed mother, 
and attended our meetings. 

The second evening of his attendance he decided 
to give himself to the Savior. This he did, and at 
once became an earnest worker in the Master's ser- 
vice. 

Soon after this the gentleman with whom he was 
living came to the city, and desired him to go back 
with him. " No," he said, " I cannot go while these 
meetings continue." (No wonder he felt so ! The 
whole city and region around were being moved by 
the power of the Spirit ; scores and hundreds were 
under conviction for sin ; and, as the fruit of tiie 
work, It was thought as many as fifteen hundred 



108 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

were converted.) But his mother advised him to 
return, telling him he could carry the Savior with 
him. This placed the matter in a new light, and, 
after looking it all over, he said, " Yes, I can carry 
the Savior with me ; I will go." With this feeling 
he returned to his home in the country, where he 
soon had an opportunity for knowing and showing 
to others whether or not he had brought the Savior 
with him. In the course of the day he went out to 
split some wood ; and, while he was thus engaged, 
several of his young associates, among whom he 
was a favorite, hearing the sound of his axe, 
gathered around the wood-pile where he was at 
w^ork. And there, standing on that w^ood-pile, and 
holding his axe in his hand, this boy delivered a 
message for Jesus, which has already been the 
means of bringing hundreds into the church of 
Christ. 

The boys began at once to question him : " We 
hear there is a great revival at Manchester ; is it 
true?" 

"It is so, boys," was the reply, "and I have 
given myself to Jesus, and wish you would give 
yourselves to him." 

They did not need long arguments and repeated 
appeals to move their 3^oung hearts, but responded 
at once to his invitation, saying, "We wish we 
were Christians." 



BRINGING IN SHEA VMS. 109 

He then asked them to go and get as many of 
their companions as they could, and come to his 
room, and they would have a meeting that evening. 

At the appointed time a large number of hoys 
came to his room. Our young brother said to 
them, "I will do just as Mr. Earle does at Man- 
chester." He then read from the word of God and 
prayed with them. After this, he said, " Mr. Earle 
says at Manchester, if any would like to have 
Christians pray for them, he would like to have 
them rise ; so, if you would like to have me pray 
for you, I wish you would let me know." Nearly 
all desired him to pray for them, and many of them 
prayed for themselves in that first meeting. God 
was perfecting praise out of those young lips. 

At the close of this n\eeting they agreed to meet 
again on the following evening. 

A larger number were present at the second 
meeting, among them a business man, who came to 
listen to the boys. God's Spirit moved upon his 
heart, and he was soon converted. 

The work thus begun continued to widen until it 
had gone among all the churches in the village, and 
several of the adjoining villages ; and over three 
hundred were soon gathered into the churches in 
that vicinity — all this, apparently, the fruit of 
that boy's sermon on the wood-pile. 
But this was not all. 



110 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

About six months after leaving Manchester, I 
was in a printing-office in Boston, and there fouDcl 
this same boy setting type. I asked him if he was 
learning the printer's trade. The reply is well 
worthy of record. Said he, " Mr. Earle, my father 
is dead, and my mother is poor; I am trying to 
earn money, that I may get an education and preach, 
the gospel." 

This moved my heart. I thought how many 
rich men have money enough and to spare, while . 
this boy is working hard to earn a few dollars to 
prepare himself to preach Christ. Then and there 
I said, "Jesus, I will do more for thy cause than I 
have been doing." I left him to labor on long 
enough to satisfy himself that it was not excite- 
ment. 

A few months after, I called there again, and 
finding he could leave at any time, said to him, 
" Go home at once, and ask your mother to arrange 
your clothes ; go to school, and prepare for the 
work of the ministry, and send your bills to me ; 
be prudent and careful in your expenses, and I will 
see to your wants, although it may require a sacri- 
fice on my part." 

This is now the third year since he commenced 
his studies. He has this summer entered Dart- 
mouth College, and, although he is a member of a 
different denomination from myself, it has been my 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. HI 

privilege so far, with the assistance of kind friends, 
to see that his bills were paid, and I hope it will 
be in my power to continue to do so, until he is on 
the walls of Zion, preaching the glorious gospel to 
perishing men. 

** We all must speak for Jesus, 
Where'er our lot may fall ; 
To brothers, sisters, neighbors. 
In cottage, and in hall." 

"Jesus will take care or me." 

These were the last words uttered by Ella Gil- 
key, as she passed away from earth, to live with 
Him who said, "Suffer little children, and forbid 
them not, to come unto me; for of such is the 
kingdom of heaven." 

In the winter of 1860-61 I was holding a series 
of meetings in Watertown, Mass., during which a 
large number found Jesus precious — many believ- 
ing they found him in my room ; thus rendering 
that room ever memorable and dear to me. 

Among those who there gave themselves to the 
Savior was Ella. Coming in one morning, with 
tears on her face, she said, " Mr. Earle, I came up 
here to give my heart to Jesus. I feel that I am a 
great sinner. Will you pray for me ? " I replied, 
"I will pray for you, Ella, and I can pray in faith 



112 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

if you see that you are a sinner ; for Jesus died for 
sinners." 

After pointing out the way of salvation, I asked 
her if she would kneel down by my side and pray 
for herself, and, as far as she knew, give herself to 
Jesus, to be his forever. 

She said, " I will ; for I am a great sinner." 

Could one so young, and kind to everybody, be 
a great sinner? Yes, because she had rejected the 
^Savior until she was twelve years old ; and when 
the Holy Spirit had knocked at the door of her 
heart, she had said, "No, not yet. Go thy way 
for this time." 

We kneeled down, and after I had prayed, she 
said, "Jesus, take me just as I am. I give myself 
to thee forever. I will love and serve thee all m}^ 
life." 

The door of her heart was now open, and Jesus 
entered and took possession. The tears were gone 
from her face, which was now covered with smiles. 

And I believe holy angels in that room witnessed 
the transfer of her heart to Jesus, and then went 
back to heaven to join in songs of thanksgiving; 
for "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that 
repenteth." 

Ella then went down stairs, her face beaming 
with joy as she thought of her new relation to 
Jesus, and said to her mother, "I have given my- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 113 

self to Jesus, and he has received me. O, I am 
so happy ! " 

Little did we think that in a few days she would 
be walking the "golden streets" with the blood- 
washed throng. 

Like the Redeemer, who, when at her age, said 
to his mother, " Wist ye not that I must be about 
my Father's business ? " she seemed to long to be 
doing good. 

" * What can I do for Christ,' she said, 
* Who gave his life to ransom me ? 
I'll take my cross, and by him led, 
His humble, faithful child will be.' " 

Among other subjects of prayer, there was one 
which particularly weighed upon her heart ; it was 
for the conversion of an older brother. One day, 
after earnestly praying that this dear brother 
might be led to accept the Savior, she said to her 
mother, "O, I think he will be a Christian ! " At 
another time she said, " I would be willing to die 
if it would bring him to Jesus." 

Could she speak from her bright home above, I 
believe she would say to this brother, and to all 
who are delaying, — 

" ' Delay not, delay not ; why longer abuse 

The love and compassion of Jesus, thy God? 
A fountain is opened ; how canst thou refuse 
To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood? ' " 
8 



114 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Anxious to obey her Savior in all things, she 
obtained permission from her parents to present 
herself to the church for baptism ; and, in the 
absence of a pastor, I baptized her, with several 
others, a few weeks after her conversion. 

The next Tuesday after her baptism she was 
present at our evening meeting, and gave her last 
public testimony for Jesus. When an opportunity 
was given for any one to speak, Ella arose, and, 
turning to the congregation, said, in a clear, 
earnest tone, " If there are any here who have not 
given their hearts to Jesus, do it now." 

As I sat in my room at her father's that night, 
after meeting, I heard her voice mingling with his, 
in songs of praise, until near the midnight hour. 
Less than three days after this, Ella was called 
away from us, to sing in heaven the song of Moses 
and the Lamb. 

As death drew near, she said to her parents, " I 
am going home," and commenced singing her 
favorite hymn : — 

"0, happy day, that fixed my choice 
On thee, my Savior, and my God ; 
Well may this glowing heart, rejoice, 
And tell its raptures all abroad." 

"Yes," she whispered, "it was a happy day." 
Then putting her arm around her father's neck, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 115 

whose heart seemed almost broken, she said, 
"Don't care for me, father; Jesus will take care 
of me." 

These were her last conscious words ; the smile 
of affection lingered a little longer on her face, the 
look of love in her eyes, and its pressure in her 
hand, and then her spirit took its flight, mid angel 
guards and guides, leaving behind her the clearest 
evidence of love to Jesus, and a worthy example 
of fidelity to him, though she had followed him but 
one short month. 

On the first Sabbath of February I gave the hand 
of fellowship to a large number of new members, 
and Ella would have been with them had she lived. 
It so happened that, near the place where she 
would have stood, there was a vacant spot. I 
directed the attention of the large assembly to that 
opening, and asked, "Where is Ella to-day?" 
For a moment all was still, and the entire congre- 
gation appeared to be bathed in tears, when I said, 
"Jesus seems to say, *I have given Ella the hand 
of fellowship up here.' " 

A few days after her death, her parents, in look- 
ing over her portfolio, found she had written, 
unknown to any one, in the middle of a blank 
book, as if intended only for God's eye, the follow- 
ing deed, which shows her depth of purpose and 
complete dedication to Christ: — 



116 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

^^ December 21, 1860. — This day I have given 
my heart to the Savior, and have resolved to do 
just what he tells me to do, and to take up my 
cross daily and follow him, — my eyes to weep 
over sinners, and my mouth to speak forth his 
praise and to lead sinners to Christ. 

Ella J. Gilkey." 

And in the vestry of the church at Wjitertown, 
these words, printed in large type, and handsomely 
framed, now hang upon the wall, where all who 
enter may read them ; so that, in the hours of 
Sabbath school, and in the prayer meeting and 
social gathering, Ella, though in heaven, still 
speaks, and continues her work for Jesus. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 117 



CHAPTER IX. 

WHY MUST I GIVE UP MY WILL? 

MANY persons pray and labor to become 
Christians, but do not succeed, simply be- 
cause they do not surrender their wills to God. 
The provisions of the gospel are ample, Christ is 
willing to receive, and the Father waits to embrace 
them in the arms of his love ; still the peace and 
joy of sins forgiven are unknown to them. 

These persons are sincere, and really want to be- 
come Christians ; but, alas ! many of them live and 
die only seekers — never finding Christ. 

Many wonder how this can be so : the reason is, 
the will is not given up. 

The seat of the rebellion against God is in the 
will. Generally, the seeker after Christ gives up 
all the larger objects, but clings to some little 
thing, in itself of no importance. He will let go 
of the mountain, but cling to the straw — not 
realizing that the will can have as firm a hold upon 
the straw as upon the mountain. 



118 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

We often near men speak in this way : " I will fol- 
low thee, but — " or, " I will give up all, except — " or 
again, " I will do anything else J' Such seekers will 
not find the light until all conditions are left out. 

The following incidents are given to illustrate 
what I have said ; they also show all the impor- 
tance I attach to what is sometimes called 
"machinery," or "measures," in a meeting. 

I. 

Some years ago, while engaged in a meeting in 
Massachusetts, I met with a lady who had been an 
earnest and sincere seeker after Christ for ^yq 
years. 

She had been greatly prejudiced against what 
she called an " anxious seat ; " and had been taught 
that God's pardoning love could be found in one 
place as well as another, and, consequently, the 
particular seat in a meeting-house could make no 
difference. 

This was true ; for the Savior will receive the 
penitent soul at one time or place as readily as at 
another — at home alone as soon as in public, and 
in a front seat no more freely than in any other. 

" If this is so," said she, " why ask me to take an 
anxious seat?" The matter seemed so clear to her 
own mind, that she deliberately said, "I will never 
go to an anxious seat to be converted." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 119 

With this feeling, she had prayed and wept, and 
sought Christ for five years ; but all in vain. Her 
prayer had been, " Thou knowest, O Lord, I desire 
to be a Christian, and that one seat is as good as 
another. O, then, take me as I am — a poor, lost, 
helpless sinner I 

* Nothing in my hand I bring ; 
Simply to thy cross I cling."* 

When no answer came to her prayer, she was 
almost led to question the reliability of the promise, 
" Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden, and 1 will give you rest." 

As the revival progressed, a large number of her 
friends and acquaintances were converted. Nearly 
all of the choir, of which she was a prominent 
member, had found Christ precious — many of 
them had gone to the front seat. 

Sometimes she seemed almost angry, and at 
other times was bathed in tears ; but still she said, 
" I will not go to an anxious seat." 

At last, one evening, after scores had gone for- 
ward for prayer, she, while sitting almost alone in 
the place occupied by the choir, yielded the con- 
troversy, and said, " I will give up, and do what I 
have so long said I would not, and if Jesus will 
take me any sooner on the front seat than here, I 
will go there." 



120 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

But she learned that the difficulty was not in any 
particular part of the house, but in her will ; that 
when this was given up, and she was willing to go 
anywhere or do anything that would not disgrace 
a sinner, then, and not till then, would the Savior 
accept her. 

As she came near the desk, having walked the 
whole length of the main aisle, I asked her if she 
had come to take the oft-rejected anxious seat. She 
replied that she had. Finding that every front seat 
was occupied, I said to her, "If your will is given 
up, Christ will receive you in one place as soon as 
another." 

She then went to a little foot-bench near the 
desk, and had hardly taken her seat before she 
felt that her sins were forgiven, and Christ was her 
Savior. The long-sought-for peace was found at 
length, without her taking the anxious seat ; but 
not until she was willing, and had made an efibrt 
to take it. 

Thus we see that the will must be given up 
before conversion, and that all there is in any meas- 
ure, or change of seats, or position, is to test the 
will, and assist the anxious soul the sooner to give 
up all to Jesus. 

II. 

The folly of saying " I will not " is further il- 
lustrated in the case of a business man, of good 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 121 

moral character, who became interested in one of 
our meetings in New York. 

He told us that he had been praying and seeking 
to become a Christian for fifteen years, but had 
said he never would go to a front seat for prayer — 
he knew better than to. do that; others had found 
Christ without this public demonstration, and he 
could. 

It was true others had found Christ, and he 
could, without any public expression of this kind ; 
but it is also true that no one can be converted to 
God until he is willing to yield every point. 

Thus determined, this man had sought, through 
those long years, the Christian's hope;, but all in 
vain. He was willing to take other steps, which 
most persons would think equally unpleasant, but 
was not willing to go to anything called an " anxious 
seat." 

One evening he stood up in a large assembly, 
and, with deep feeling, asked the pastor to pray for 
him. They kneeled together, while the pastor 
prayed fervently for his conversion — the man 
seeming to realize his lost condition, but still say- 
ing he did not believe in going to any particular 
seat ; but no relief came. 

At length I asked if there was not something 
which he had not given up. He said he had given 
up all except a foolish thing, as he viewed it ; and 



122 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

that was, his determination not to go to the front 
seats for prayer. 

I urged him to give up his will in this also, and 
go and kneel for prayer in the very spot he had so 
long avoided. He looked the matter over, his 
pride and will uniting against the step ; but at last 
he yielded, and deliberately said, "I will do just 
what I said I never would." He started ; but 
before he had reached the front seat the burden 
which had so long weighed him down was removed, 
and he felt that his sins were forgiven and Jesus 
had accepted him : thus clearly showing that the 
seat, which he had not yet reached, had nothing to 
do with his- conversion, and that all the trouble was 
in not yielding his will. 

This brother has since been to me with the urgent 
request that I would tell every anxious soul I met 
about his case, that they might not perish by refus- 
ing to give up their wills. 

III. 

A teacher in one of the colleges of New York 
was at his home for a vacation, where I was hold- 
ing a series of meetings, and as the interest in 
them increased, became anxious about his soul ; 
but, believing God would as readily receive him in 
secret as if he made his feelings known, he decided 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 123 

to let no one know of his anxiety until he was sure 
his sins had been forgiven. 

No matter who spoke to him about his soul, he 
was determined to manifest no unusual concern 
about the future. Hodling to this decision, he 
praj^ed and wrestled for weeks, but found no peace. 

It was not necessary to let people know of his 
desire, in order that he might be converted to God ; 
but it was necessary that he should be willing to 
let them know. 

He returned to the college at the commencement 
of the term, still desiring to become a Christian, 
but determined that no one should know of his 
feelings until he had found the Savior. He was 
ready to do anything else — to part with every sin, 
and consecrate all to Christ ; seemed in earnest, 
and really to desire to be a child of God. 

He wondered why one so sincere, so anxious, 
could find no peace. He knew of no reason for 
doubting Christ's ability and willingness to save 
him, and believed he Avould do it as readily with- 
out any public demonstration as with. Jesus had 
said, " Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast 
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in 
secret ; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall 
reward thee openly." 

He saw no necessity for making his feelings 
public until he was sure of his adoption into the 



124 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

family of Christ ; for he might fail, he thought, 
and then would always regret that he had spoken 
of his desire. 

Here he discovered the difficulty — he had made 
a condition : No one should know he wanted to be a 
Christian until he was sure himself that he was one. 

Thus, hardly knowing it himself, he had been 
limiting God, by marking -out one path in which he 
was not willing God should lead him. 

Sitting alone in his study one evening, and 
wondering why he was unable to enter into the 
"way of life," the thought occurred to him that the 
trouble might be in his unwillingness to ask any 
one to pray for him ; and at once he said, " I will 
give up my way, and go now and ask one of the 
professors to pray for me." He left his room for 
this purpose, having given up all conditions, and 
feeling willing to follow wherever God might lead ; 
but before he had reached the foot of the stairs he 
received evidence of sins forgiven. All that had 
seemed so dark a few minutes before was now 
bright; and what had seemed so strange through 
those long weeks was now made plain. 

Happy in the Lord, he returned to his room 
without seeing any Christian, or asking any one to 
pray for him ; thus showing that there was no 
virtue in the particular act, but in being willing to 
perform it. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 125 

IV. 

The presiding judge of a district in which I once 
held a meeting became deeply convicted of sin, and 
privately asked Christians to pray for him, but, 
through pride and prejudice, he had become very 
much opposed to kneeling at a Methodist altar ; — 
the meetings in that place were held in a Methodist 
church. 

He attended the meetings, but usually sat in the 
back part of the house. Once or twice he rose for 
prayer, but would not go to the altar for prayer. 
He asked one of the ministers if he could not be 
converted without kneeling at a Methodist altar, 
and, of course, was told he could. Still he found 
no peace, although he sought it carefully with 
tears. 

So deeply did he feel his sins, that he sent out at 
midnight for a minister he knew, to pray with and 
for him ; and they both prayed earnestly, the 
judge knowing Jesus could, and believing he would, 
receive him without his going to the altar ; that 
the place .he occupied made no difference. That 
this was true, the result showed ; but it also 
showed that he could not be accepted by Christ 
until he was willing to go to that despised altar. 

At that midnight hour, while the pastor and 
judge were pleading for the salvation of the latter. 



126 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

he seemed to throw himself upon the Savior, 
saying, "Jesus, take me jnst as I am." In the 
judgment of the pastor he found the sought-for 
peace. 

The next day two of the pastors came to me, and 
said, " We think the judge is converted, and will 
let the congregation know it this evening, if you 
give him an opportunity." 

I said I would give him a good opportunity to 
speak ; but was sure he was not converted, and 
could not be until he was willing to kneel at a 
Methodist altar. 

In the evening, after the sermon, I said, " If 
there is one present who thinks God has forgiven 
his sins, w^e ^vould like to hear that one speak a few 
words." All eyes were turned towards the judge ; 
but he had nothing to say. We then bowed in 
prayer, the judge kneeling in the aisle, and pray- 
ing for himself as a lost sinner — this time giving 
up all, and feeling willing to go even to the spot 
to which he had so often refused to go. 

After this season of prayer he arose, and, turn- 
ing to me, said, "Mr. Earle, I am now willing to 
go anywhere. I have found Jesus precious. I am 
willing to kneel at a Methodist altar, or do any- 
thing Christ wishes." I replied, " We do not want 
you at this altar if your will is given up ; it was 
only necessary that you be willing to kneel here." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 127 

He then gave clear testimony before all that he 
had found no peace until he was willing to go to 
that altar ; but the moment he yielded his will he 
found peace, without actually going there. 

This case, like the others related in this chapter, 
shows the necessity of a full surrender of the will 
before conversion, and also all the importance that 
can be attached to "measures." 

Many anxious persons suppose they have given 
up all until the will is tested by some simple thing 
which has no virtue in itself, but shows whether 
the individual is in complete submission to God 
or not. 

I think it is well, sometimes, to ask the inquirers 
to meet Christians in another room, to stop after 
meeting for conversation, or something of the kind, 
without adopting any set of measures : let the 
occasion and circumstances suggest their own 
measures, or none at all, according to the judg- 
ment of the person conducting the services. 

I find measures, as they are called, that seem 
very objectionable in a time of coldness in religion 
are looked at quite differently by the same persons, 
when the heart is weighed down with earnest desire 
for the salvation of souls. 



128 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 



CHAPTER X. 

SERMON. — THE UNPARDONABLE SIN.* 

"And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of 
man, it shall be forgiven him : but whosoever speaketh 

AGAINST THE HoLY GhOST, IT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, 
NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE WORLD TO COME." — 

Matt. xii. 32. 

EVERY person will see at once that there is a 
difference between speaking against the Holy 
Ghost and speaking against Jesus. If you will 
look at the connection you will see that the Phari- 
sees had been charging Christ with being in league 
with the devil. " Now," said the Redeemer, "you 
can call me a devil, and say I cast out devils through 
the prince of devils, and yet be forgiven ; but when 
my Father comes, by his Spirit, and bears testimony 
that I am his Son, and you reject that testimony, for 
that sin there is no forgiveness." One is speaking 



* Delivered Sunday evening, October 14, 1866, in Union Hall, 
San Francisco, Cal. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 129 

against Jesus in the absence of light, and the other 
is speaking against him under the clear evidence of 
his divinity. I understand this to be the distinction 
between speaking against Christ and speaking 
against the Holy Ghost. 

I know there are various opinions about the un- 
pardonable sin. Some suppose it could only have 
been committed by those who saw Christ's miracles, 
and heard his instructions from his own lips ; 
others think it has been committed since that time, 
but in very rare instances ; while others believe 
they have committed it, and spend their lives in 
gloomy forebodings, unfit for the service of God or 
the society of men. And yet I believe this sin has 
been committed in thousands of instances little sus- 
pected. I heard, some time ago, of a dying man 
asking a minister to pray with him. The minister 
kneeled down, but could not utter a word, and rose 
from his knees. Said the dying man, "Why will 
you not pray with me ? " The minister replied, " I 
do not know why I could not speak in prayer, but 
will try again." He kneeled down and tried in vain 
to utter words in prayer. God has said, "There is 
a sin unto death ; I do not say you shall pray for 
it." God does not always mark this sin in this 
manner, but clearly shows us that when it is com- 
mitted he will not hear prayer for it. 

I shall answer, as clearly as I can, four questions. 
9 



130 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

1. What is the unpardonable sin? 

The process by which this sin is committed is 
very simple : it is to continue to say "^o, no^ no^^^ 
to the oflfers of mercy, until you are a sinner let 
alone or given up by the Holy Spirit. When thus 
left, conscience no longer exercises its functions, 
and the Holy Spirit no longer applies the truth. 
When this state is reached, the soul is usually calm 
and quiet. The individual can then sleep well, and 
go on with his business, without much trouble about 
his soul's salvation ; the conscience is then measur- 
ably at ease, the " spirits light and gay." He did 
not, does not, will not, know or feel that he is 
doomed. 

It is generally believed that the Pharisees did 
finally succeed in committing this sin ; and, if you 
will go with me, we will see how they managed to 
do so. We see in their case, from first to last, a 
wilful and a continued rejection of evidence. No 
matter how plain and conclusive the evidence 
Christ gave them of his divinity, they said, 
" Away with it ! Away with it ! " Look at a few 
instances of this rejection of light : The sisters of 
Lazarus sent for Jesus when their brother was sick. 
Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead four days, 
then went to the grave, in the presence of a large 
number of these men, and, when the stone was re- 
moved, Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth." It is 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 131 

thought Lazarus lay on something like a table, or 
shelf, not in a coffin, and that he threw his feet to 
the ground, i-aised himself up, and stood wrapped 
in his grave-clothes. Jesus said, " Loose him, and 
let him go." . 

This miracle was laid before the Pharisees, as if 
to ask them, " Will you now receive Jesus as the 
Christ?" They reply, "Away with the evidence ! " 
I ask you, my hearers, do you not see in this a 
wilful rejection of light? But they had not com- 
mitted the unpardonable sin yet : God -is long suf- 
fering. 

By and by a girl about twelve years of age died, 
and was laid out in an upper chamber. Jesus went 
into that chamber, and said, " Talitha cumi," that 
is, "Maid, arise; " and she was restored to the re- 
joicing family. " Pharisees, will you now embrace 
me as your Savior?" "Away with him! Away 
with him ! " But it was not yet too late. 

After this a young man died, and was being car- 
ried on a bier to the grave. Jesus approached that 
bier, and said, "Young man, arise ; " and the young 
man arose, and was restored to his friends. This 
evidence of Christ's divinity was also rejected, and 
Jesus still waiting to be gracious. 

The Pharisees heard that Christ was a little out 
of town, preaching, and they sent officers to arrest 
him. I should not wonder if those officers carried 



132 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

with them chains and handcuffs, to bind him if 
necessary ; but after listening to him a few minutes 
they were deeply affected, and returned without 
him. The* Pharisees inquired, "Why have ye not 
brought him?". "Never man spake as this man," 
said the officers. Why did not the Pharisees say, 
"Officers, if you think he is the Redeemer of lost 
men, we will weigh the evidence"? But no : they 
say, "We will not receive him, if even our own 
officers are converted to him." They cry, "Away 
with him!" O, the deep depravity of the human 
heart ! Yet they had not rejected half the light 
that we have. But there was mercy for these men 
yet. 

Christ was brought before Pilate to be con- 
demned ; but, after a fair examination, Pilate said, 
"I find no fault in him; I will, therefore, release 
Jesus unto you." But they cried, "Not this man, 
but Barabbas." Pilate, therefore, went back into 
the hall, and asked him if he was the Son of God. 
Jesus satisfied him of his divinity. Then Pilate 
took a basin of water and washed his hands in 
their presence, and said, "Take ye him and crucify 
him : I find no fault in him." The Pharisees said, 
" His blood be on us and on our children." Then 
Pilate delivered him to them to be crucified, and 
the soldiers led him away. 

After he was nailed to the cross, a very affecting 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 133 

scene followed, which gave clear evidence of Christ's 
divinity. As the blood streamed from his hands 
and feet, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why hast 
thou forsaken me ? " The great veil or curtain of 
the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the 
sun seemed to muifle its face for three hours over 
the dying Jesus ; the graves were opened around 
Jerusalem : and so fully did the Father vindicate the 
Son, that even the captain of the guards smote upon 
his breast, and said, " Surely this was the Son of 
God." Christ here evidently saw the sword of 
divine wrath raised to strike his murderers down, 
and cried, "Father, forgive them ; they know not 
what they do." That is, "Father, my murderers 
have not all the evidence of my divinity I am go- 
ing to give them." 

They went to Pilate, and said (O, what bitterness 
against Christ !) , " We remember that deceiver said, 
if we put him to death, the third day he would rise 
again ; now we want a guard, in order to make him 
secure until three days are past, that we may prove 
him to be an imposter." A heavy guard of Roman 
soldiers was furnished, and Christ's dead body put 
in a new tomb, and guarded from Friday night until 
Sunday morning. Jesus was sweetly sleeping in 
the embrace of death all this time : thus teaching 
his children that the grave is not a gloomy place to 
those who love God. 



134 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Sunday morning the Father seemed to say to one 
of the angels, "You can now go and roll away the 
stone." The angel flew to the sepulchre, and rolled 
back the stone, and sat down upon it, I think, with 
folded wings, and doubtless said in his heart, "How 
much depends on the resurrection of that body ! " 
While the angel sat looking upon the corpse, the 
Savior arose, as if it had been from a sweet night's 
rest, and walked out, in the presence of the sol- 
diers. The soldiers went to the Pharisees and told 
them that Christ had done as he said ; that he had 
just arisen from the dead in their presence. This 
was soon hushed, and the soldiers were paid large 
sums of money to swear that his disciples had stolen 
him away while they were asleep. All this evi- 
dence they rejected, and still could be forgiven. 

One more proof of Christ's divinity was to be 
given them by the outpouring of the Spirit after his 
ascension. This was done ten days after his de- 
parture, in a wonderful manner, adding three thou- 
sand to the Messiah's kingdom in a single day. 
The Pharisees, by rejecting this last evidence, to- 
gether with all that had preceded, seemed to fix the 
black seal of death upon their souls. O, the doom 
of the sinner when God has given him up ! Then 
he is a sinner let alone. 

2. I will now notice, very briefly, the inquiry, 
What persons can commit the unpardonable sin? 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 135 

If what I have just said is true, then any one who 
can deliberately reject the offers of mercy, and say 
iVo to Christ's invitations, is in danger of being left 
by the Holy Spirit to perish. 

Our danger is greater than the Pharisees' was, 
because we have more light than they. All the 
evidence they had of Christ's divinity we have, 
together with the accumulated evidence of eighteen 
hundred years. 

"In the cross of Christ I glory, 

Towering o'er the wrecks of time ; 
All the light of sacred story 

Gathers round its head sublime." 

All this light is shining around your pathway ; 
and if the Pharisees could commit this sin, how 
much more easily can you commit it, young man, 
or young woman. I do not know why you have 
rejected the Savior so long and so often. Do think 
of it ! how many times you have said N'o to the 
calls of the gospel. O, your peril ! I hope it is 
not too late ! Do not say JSTo to this call to-night. 

3. How does this sin show itself after it has 
been committed? 

Generally it shows itself in one of two ways. 
One is, by calling out the malignity of the heart 
against Christ and his people. In this state, noth- 
ing torments the sinner more than a revival of 
religion. The very ringing of the bells that call 



136 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Christians to the house of prayer anuo3^s him : 
nothing is too severe for him to say against 
religion. 

But the most ordinary way in which this sin 
shows itself is, by shutting up the heart in indif- 
ference, so that the one who has committed it has 
no feeling on the subject, no fears, no trouble ; has 
no idea that he has committed this sin, but is 
perfectly calm and easy. The terrors of the law 
cause no alarm. Christ's claims on him do not 
move him. In fact, no view of religion troubles 
him ; he is at ease ; he is not, as many suppose, in 
great distress for fear he has committed this sin ; 
full of gloom and fearful forebodings, fearing it 
is too late for him to be saved. It does not show 
itself in this way, but, on the contrary, removes 
fear ; he is a sinner let alone. 

We often hnd persons near death without re- 
ligion, and yet without fear. If asked a few 
minutes before death if they would like to have a 
Christian pray with them, they say. No ; or if they 
would like to have the Bible read to them, they do 
not wish to see the Bible. Ask them if they are 
not afraid to meet God, they say they are not in 
the least; they are ready to meet him any minute. 
In this state, there is great reason to fear that the 
sin in question has been committed. 

We find many church members, and others who 



BRmOING IN SHEA VES. 137 

have been church members, in this indifferent state. 
They do not weep over the unconverted, nor warn 
them as though they felt for them at all. Where 
this has continued long, it is a bad indication : 
such professors should be alarmed. Do I speak 
to one in this indifferent state? O that I could 
sound a note of alarm, that might reach a tender 
chord in your heart, and break this spell of in- 
difference ! 

I do not know that I can show how this sin 
manifests itself, better than by repeating those 
beautiful lines of Dr. Alexander : — 

*' There is a line by us unseen 
That crosses every path — 
The hidden boundary between 
God's patience and his wrath. 

" To pass that limit is to die — 
To die as if by stealth ; 
It does not quench the beaming eye, 
Nor pale the glow of health. 

" The conscience may be still at ease, 
The spirits hght and gay ; 
That which is pleasing still may please, 
And care be thrust away. 

"But on that forehead God has set 
Indelibly a mark, 
Unseen by man, for man, as yet, 
Is blind and in the dark. 



138 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

" Indeed, the doomed one's path below 
May bloom as Eden bloomed ; 
He did not, does not, will not know, 
Or feel that he is doomed. 

"He feels, perchance, that all is well, 
And every fear is calmed ; 
He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell — 
Not only doomed, but damned. 

*' 0, where is that mysterious bourn 
By wliich our patli is crossed, 
Beyond which God himself has sworn, 
That he wlio goes is lost ? " 

Let me entreat you, my dear hearer, if it is not 
too late, if God's patience is not exhausted by your 
long-continued rejection of his offers of mercy, if 
one faint wish or desire lingers in your bosom to 
become a Christian, cherish it ^s you would the 
last ray of hope of heaven. Let everything go 
until you find Christ precious. To-morrow it may 
be too late, even if life is spared. Your situation 
may be like that of a man of whom I lately heard, 
who entered a dark, winding cave, carrying with 
him a lamp and ball of twine. That he might find 
his way out of the cave, in case his light went out, 
he fastened one end of the twine outside, and un- 
wound it as he walked into the cave. In this man- 
ner he had gone a long distance into those dark 
recesses, sometimes climbing over rugged rocks, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. I39 

and then descending into low, damp passages, until 
at length he entered a large and spacious apartment, 
containing very rare and beautiful curiosities. 
Desiring to bring from the cave some of these rich 
treasures, he set down his lamp, and placed his 
ball by it — only for a moment. While breaking 
off a stalactite of peculiar beauty, his lamp, by 
some means, tipped over and went out. Supposing 
he could easily find his lamp and ball of twine, he 
commenced feeling about in the dark cave : but his 
efforts were in vain. No human ear was there to hear 
his cries for help, as he crawled first in one direc- 
tion and then in another, searching for that thread. 
Could he but grasp again that weak, that little 
thread, it would lead him back to the sunlight, 
never before so dear. 

Long, weary days and nights were spent search- 
ing for that only ray of hope ; but all to no purpose 
— he was never again to look upon the faces of the 
dear ones at home. His lifeless body was found in 
that dark cavern long afterwards. 

O, what reflections he must have had when 
starving and dying in that cave ! What would he 
not have given, could he have held once more that 
thread in his tremblino^ fino^ers. But the lio^ht once 
gone out, his doom was fixed — he must perish. 

So, my dear hearer, you have a little desire at 
this hour to become a Christian. The Holy Spirit, 



140 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

though often grieved and insulted by your rejec- 
tion of his kind and earnest entreaties to embrace 
Jesus, still shines in the dark recesses of your soul. 
As in the cave, when the light went out, the thread 
was lost, so when the Spirit leaves you, the silken 
thread of desire is lost, and you are in the dark 
cave of sin without a guide to lead you out to hope 
and heaven; and your lamentation will be, "The 
harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are 
not saved." 

But I must answer the fourth question. 

4. Why cannot this sin be forgiven as well as 
others? If the blood of Christ cleanses from all 
sin, w^hy not from this? 

It is not because the person is a greater sinner 
than others, but because he rejects the only remedy 
God has for his sins, and continues this rejection 
until he is a sinner let alone ; then conscience does 
not exercise its functions, and the Spirit ceases to 
apply the truth, and he must perish. 

You remember the fiery flying serpent that came 
among the Israelites. When it struck a man, it 
was certain death ; no remedy could be found ; 
every person stung die^. Moses went to God for 
a remedy. God said to him. Take a piece of 
brass, of the shape and size of the fiery serpent, and 
raise it on a pole, and when any man, rich or poor, 
aged or young, cries out, " I am stung ! " tell him 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 141 

to look at that piece of brass. That was God's 
remedy — the only one in the world. All who 
looked were cured. Every one knows the brass 
could not remove the poison, but was a type of the 
Redeemer on the cross — " As Moses lifted up the 
serpent, even so must the Sou of man be lifted up." 

Suppose a man to cry out, " I am stung, but will 
not do anything unless I can give a reason for it." 
He will not look at that piece of brass for a remedy, 
but rejects it, and puts it under his feet, and then 
prays for help. God would say to him, "Your 
disease is incurable, for the simple reason that you 
have rejected the only remedy that can remove the 
poison." 

So the sinner has only to reject the gospel of 
Christ and the offers of mercy, until the grieved 
Spirit takes his final departure, and God has given 
him up ; then his sin is unpardonable, because he 
has rejected the only way by which God can 
save him. 

O, how deeply do I now feel the solemnity of 
this hour, with three or four thousand precious 
souls before me. Perhaps many of you are making 
the final decision, whether, you will embrace the 
Savior now, or again say, " Go thy way for this 
time." Let me urge you not to say it, but open 
your heart now to the Holy Spirit. 

" O, grieve him not away, 
'Tis Mercy's hour." 



142 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

I think I feel as the nurse did, in the hospital, 
with his thumb on the great artery, while a wounded 
soldier arranged his matters to die. 

After a severe battle, a soldier had his limb 
amputated very near his body. The veins had been 
taken up, and he seemed to be doing well; but on 
one occasion, as the nurse was dressing his wounds, 
the blood began to flow freely. The nurse held the 
vein with his thumb, and sent for a physician, who, 
on entering the room, said, "It is well, my brave 
fellow, that it was not the large artery — I can take 
this up." A short time after, the blood flowed 
more freely than before, and the skilful nurse, 
placing his thumb this time on the large artery, 
which had broken open, sent again for the 
physician. 

After a careful examination of the whole matter, 
it was decided that the artery could not be taken 
up without removing the thumb of the nurse ; and 
if his thumb was removed, the soldier must die 
immediately^ 

It only remained for the brave man to make 
immediate arrangements for death. About three 
hours were employed in sending messages to loved 
ones, and in arranging his eflects before he left the 
world. When this was done — the nurse still 
holding the vein, and knowing that death would 
follow in three minutes after lifting his thumb — 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 143 

the brave but dyiug soldier said, " Now, kind nurse, 
you can take off your thumb : I must go. Fare- 
well to all." 

Now came the severe trial to the nurse — how 
could he lift his thumb under such circumstances ! 
The accumulated blood already rendered it dif- 
ficult to hold the artery ; so, turning his eye from 
the soldier, he lifted his thumb, and in three 
minutes death had done its work. 

I think I feel very much as this nurse did — fear- 
ing, as I do, that with many in this congregation 
the crisis has come when you are to decide where 
you will spend eternity. I fear this is for some of 
you the line 

"That marks the destiny of men 
For glory or despair." 

As the nurse felt that he could not lift his thumb, 
and yet must, so with me now — How can I close 
this sermon, and end this entreaty, without know- 
ing that you will not grieve the Spirit away this 
time? 

Let me ask the Recording Angel to hold his pen, 
while each one of you in this hall decides the ques- 
tion — whether you will cherish what little desire 
you have to become Christ's, what little of the 
Holy Spirit's influence still lingers about your 
heart, or say, " Go thy way for this time," which 
may be forever ! 



144 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

But I must not linger. Let me request every 
person in the hall — whether professor of religion 
or not — who intends to cherish what desire he 
has to serve God, to rise on his feet. 

Thank God, nearly every one present has risen ! 
May God help us all to keep our resolution, for 
Jesus' sake. 

Amen. 

At the close of this sermon, a short time was 
tspent in silent prayer, after which it was believed 
not less than five hundred persons requested us to 
pray that the}' might receive forgiveness of sin. 
As nearly as I can ascertain, not less than five 
thousand souls have been brought to embrace 
Christ through the influence of this single sermon. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. I45 



CHAPTEK XI. 

FIREMEN'S MEETING. 

ONE evening, during a series of meetings held 
with the Second Baptist church in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., I preached, by special appointment, to the 
firemen, and have thought it might be interesting 
and profitable, instead of a general account of the 
meeting, to quote from the "Daily Eagle" of 
March 12, 1858, the following report of the 
sermon : — 

" Last evening the members of Neptune Engine 
Company, No. 7, of Brooklyn, attended in a body 
the Second Baptist church, on Leonard Street, to 
listen to a sermon by Eev. A. B. Earle. As the 
announcement was made public, the attendance at 
the church was so great that nearly half that came 
could not get inside. 

" The services were opened by prayer, followed 
by singing, after which Mr. Earle delivered his 
discourse. He spoke in a plain but earnest man- 
ner, engaging the deep attention of his audience. 
10 



146 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

" The text selected was from Mark ix. 44 : 
* Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not 
quenched/ He said he should call their attention 
more particularly to the latter clause of the text. 
He thought nothing would grieve them more than 
to meet with a fire which they could not put out ; 
they would go home sorrowful at heart should such 
an event happen to them. They had often met 
and subdued this enemy — fire ; they had always 
quenched it ; but he should speak to them of a fire 
which could never be quenched. 

" He then divided his text into two parts ; first, 
What the worm is that dieth not, and why it does 
not die ; second. What the fire is that is not 
quenched, and why it is not quenched. 

" The worm that never dies is guilty memory, 
— the remembrance of past guilt. Memory is 
like a living, gnawing worm, producing a restless 
pain in the soul, as a gnawing worm would do in 
the vitals of the body. Impressions once made 
upon the mind can never be efiaced. A name once 
heard or mentioned, though forgotten for a time, 
will return in after years when circumstances shall 
recall it. Incidents of childhood carry their recol- 
lection to the grave. Memory is active when all 
else is still. In moments of peril the memory is 
more vivid and active, and thoughts of the past 
crowd upon the brain with inconceivable rapidity. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. I47 

" Instances are often related of men in peril, by 
sea or land, who have seen the events of former 
days recalled by memory ; words and deeds they 
had thought forgotten have returned to them ; 
their past life has seemed to come before their 
mental vision with startling reality. When the 
soul shall have dropped its fetters, and passed 
beyond the restraints of flesh, memory will still be 
fresh and active. This memory which tenants the 
body during life, and clings to the spirit hereafter, 
is the gnawing of the deathless worm. This worm 
draws all its nourishment from this world. 

" He cited as an instance of the activity of mem- 
ory, and its efi'ects, the case of a prisoner who was 
removed from one prison to another, where the 
treatment was better. The man said he did not 
like the new prison as w^ell as the old one, although 
he did not have to work as hard, had better food 
and kinder keepers ; but in the new prison the 
convicts were not allowed to speak to each other ; 
and in this terrible silence his memory was ever 
active — it was all think, think, think. So it will 
be hereafter : we shall be constantly thinking. 
We should therefore be careful how we store the 
memory, since its recollections will ever be present 
with us. 

"In the second part of his discourse he con- 
sidered the fire that can never be quenched. 



148 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

" They might believe that no fire could break out 
in the city which, by their skill and activity, they 
could not put out; and their fellow-citizens, con- 
fident in their ability, w^ent to their repose, feeling 
that by the vigilance, tact, and energy of the fire- 
men their lives and property were secure. But 
there is a fire that cannot be quenched : it is 
remorse, or the realization of our sin in the dark 
world of despair. The Savior says it is better to 
have but one eye than to be cast into hell, where 
the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. 

" The fire of God's wrath is the sinner's realiza- 
tion of his wdckedness, and a guilty remembrance 
of the past. The reason this fire cannot be 
quenched is, there is nothing there with which to 
quench it. Suppose a building was wrapped in 
flames, and the firemen brought their engines to 
the spot, but could find no water ; they would be 
powerless, however good their intentions. So with 
the fire of God's wrath — the guilty remembrance 
in the world of despair : there will be nothing 
with which to put it out; there is nothing here 
that can quench it but the blood of Jesus. 

"He called their attention to the heroic fireman, 
young Sperry, of New Haven, who went into a 
burning building to save a child supposed to be 
there, and lost his own life. He felt assured there 
was not one among that company whom he ad- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 149 

dressed but would rush, as Sperry did, into the 
flames to save a fellow-creature's life. So if he 
(the speaker), by rushing into the flames of per- 
dition, could drag a brother out of the fire, how 
readily would he do it. 

"An Indian, who had been converted, was asked 
by a white man to describe how religion came to 
him. He led the white man out to the woods, and 
gathering some dry leaves, arranged them in a 
circle, and put a little worm in the centre of it. 
He then set the leaves on fire. The worm sought 
escape, first on one side, then on another, but there 
was no way out; so, drawing itself again to the 
centre of the circle, it sank into a numb and listless 
state. The Indian then lifted the worm from the 
fire with his fingers, and said, ' This is the way 
God saved me ! Jesus plucked me out of the 
flames." So nothing but the hand of God can save 
any one ; nothing but the blood of Jesus can 
quench the fires of a guilty soul. 

" To be saved we must be born again. Some 
people suppose they would be happy if they could 
get to heaven. They are mistaken ; they could 
not be happy there, unless this fire within them 
had been quenched here. A guilty soul in heaven 
would be like a convicted murderer pardoned at 
the last moment by the governor of a state. He is 
now a free man, and the law cannot touch him. 



150 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

He returns to his home and his family. .His wife 
welcomes him back with joy, and his children gather 
around him. Still he cannot be happy : conscious- 
ness of guilt haunts him. The governor may par- 
don, but cannot justify. Eemorse preys up'on him, 
and he feels that he cannot stay in that happy home 
— it is no place for him while blood is on his soul. 

" The preacher then drew a metaphor, strikingly 
applicable to his hearers, illustrating the free 
agency of man in his own salvation. 

" Suppose the exterior of a building was con- 
structed of fire-proof materials ; fire could not 
reach it on the outside, and it could be opened 
only from the inside. Suppose this building should, 
take fire from the inside, and you knew there was 
a citizen within, . liable to perish in the flames. 
You would go there with your engine, and seek to 
save him ; but you could not reach the flames from 
the outside, and could do nothing unless the man 
opened the door. If he would be saved, he must 
open the door, and that speedily, for the flames 
were gathering closer around him each minute. So 
it is with each of us — every man holds the key of 
the door to his own heart. Jesus says to every 
one. Behold, I stand at the door and knock ; if you 
will open the door, I will come in and save you. 

" There is a fountain filled with blood that will 
extinguish this fire, and it will be poured upon the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 151- 

guilty soul if the door is opened ; for the blood of 
Christ cleauseth from all sin. But when we pass 
out of this world this blood cannot be obtained, and 
the fire cannot be quenched. 

" Mr. Earle, after thanking the audience for their 
attention, concluded with an earnest exhortation to 
them to seek for the truth and light of the gospel. 

"At the close of the sermon the congregation 
were invited to remain for a prayer meeting which 
would follow ; many of the visitors left, but the 
firemen kept their seats until the meeting closed." 



152 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTEE XII. 

LETTEES FEOM YOUNG CONVEKTS AND OTHEES. 

WE give the following letter from little Sadie, 
as written by her mother, in Sadie's simple 
words : — 

" Tell brother Earle I am sorry that he is go- 
ing away. Tell him I will pray for him twice 
a day, and he must not forget to pray for little 
Sadie. I feel so very happy this beautiful day. Tell 
him that I love Jesus better than any body in the 
wide world, I love my own angel Georgie, that 
went to Jesus when papa was in the war. I want 
to see Jesus holding our little lamb in his arms ; 
for Georgie prayed, and I will always pray to Jesus. 
Tell him that when I went to tell my dear teacher 
that I was going to give my heart to Jesus, the 
devil said to me, * Don't go; don't do it, Sadie.' 
But I said, ' Yes, I will.' And when I came home, 
and knelt down at the bed, "and prayed, he came 
again, and said, 'Don't pray.' But I said, 'I will,' 
and I did, and felt so happy. Tell him I will try 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. I53 

and be a good girl, and then I will see them all in 

heaven. 

Your little friend, 

Sadie. 

" Dayton, Ohio, January 29, 1866." 



A family letter, signed by the father, mother, 
and three children ; — 

• "Hartfokd, December 26, 1864. 

" Dear Brother Earle : The love of Christ 
constraineth us to declare to you that our hearts 
have burned within us while you have talked with 
us and opened to us the Scriptures. Onr souls are 
drawn out towards you, as we believe you are one 
of our blessed Savior's reflectors to our race. 
When you came among us, two of our number 
were as sheep without a shepherd; but now we 
trust that we are all pursuing the way to the fold 
on high. God grant that we may meet each other 
there." 

Ohio letter ; sent with a pair of socks, 

" Dayton, January 29, 1866. 

" Dear Brother Earle : Will you accept this 
pair of homespun socks — made of Ohio wool, 
spun and knit, primitive style, by 'Buckeye' in- 



154 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

dustry, insured to be warm and durable, but far 
less so than the friendship of your many, many 
friends in Ohio ? I need not, like the old lady who 
knit socks for the soldiers, attach a note, saying to 
the wearer, * Let the toe never be turned from the 
foe,' for you have told us that in the whole armor 
of God there is no shield for the back, no provis- 
ion for the coward, none for defeat nor surrender. 
So I have no fear but that you will continue to fight 
Satan and sin as long as your feet need protection 
from the chill winters of earth. 

"I pray that you may still be successful, win and 
conquer, till the great Captain of our salvation 
promotes you to fields elysiau, where, with feet 
immortal, you haste along the shining ranks, under 
orders divine, file in with angel hosts, whose feet 
need not even be shod with the preparation of the 
gospel of peace, for no rugged, thorny ways are 
there to tread, and all is peace." 

"Would lib:e3 to be a Minister." 

" Dayton, January, 1866. 

"Dear Sir: I am a little boy twelve years old, 
but I love Jesus and his people. I would like to 
be a minister of the gospel. Pray for me that I 
may become one in God's good time." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 155 

Another lad, fifteen years of age, writes: ''It 
seems to me, the height of my ambition in this 
world would be to stand up and preach the gospel. 
To this end I hope I may have your most earnest 
prayers." 

God seems to have planted such seed in the hearts 
of many of the youth interested in our meetings, 
and to have nourished that seed, until scores of liv- 
ing ministers, now gathering sheaves in the great 
harvest-field, can look back to these same meetings 
as God's seed-time, when he said to them, " Go 
preach." 

TwENTY-nVE YeAES of WANDERrSTG. 

" Chelsea, April 18, 1866. 

"Eev. a. B. Eaele. 

" Dear Sir : As you have not my name upon your 
little book, will you add it as the name of one who 
has returned from his wanderings, after a period of 
twenty-five years, and is now in the enjoyment 
of his first love ? I thank God for a praying wife, 
the prayers of Christians, and your kind invita- 
tions, w*hich have been instrumental in bringing me 
back to the Savior." 



156 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



«A Happy New Year." 

" Sacramento, Cal., January 1, 1867. 

" Dear Mr. Earle : On this beautiful, sunny 
morning, I wish you a very, very * Happy New 
Year.' I am glad you came to our city, but I am 
sad that you must leave us so soon. I reflect, 
however, that as you made me happy by coming 
here, so others will be made happy wherever you go. 

"I shall always remember you, and in truth can 
say, with my little brother, I wish you could be 
with us always. I shall, at least, always remember 
and love you." 

A Sabbath School Class not too young for 

Jesus. 

"Dayton, January 29, 1866. 

«Eev. a. B. Earle. 

" Dear Sir : You will remember me as the Sab- 
bath school teacher who did not want her class con- 
verted, because she thought they were too young. 
I have earnestly prayed that God would forgive me 
this sin, and convert every member of my class. 
Two of them think they have found the Savior ; 
three more are feeling deeply on the subject. 

"Pray for me, that I may be a faithful teacher, 
and that each member of my class may be a Chris- 
tian." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 157 

"Almost Four-score." 

"Concord, N. H., May 16, 1864. 

«Kev. Mr. Earle. 

"Dear Sir: I am almost fourscore years old. 
I will ask sometimes to be remembered in your 
prayers, that my heavenly Father will watch over 
me through the remainder of my earthly pilgrim- 
age ; keep me from sinning against him ; give 
me sweet submission to his will ; be my support 
when called to pass through the dark valley; 
and, through the infinite riches of his grace in 
Christ Jesus, be my portion forever." 

"Part Way Up." 

" CiNCiisrNATi, January 6, 1866. 

"My dear Mr. Earle: 

" By your coming to our city I have received new 
light on religious matters. My proud heart has 
been humbled. I have set up the family altar, 
where I read and pray. I have, as yet, but little 
feeling, except growing stronger in my resolution. 
I cannot go back ; I must go forward ; my word is 
pledged. 

" I feel like being part way up an inclined plane : 
to press forward and upward, Jesus may be found ; 
to go back is sure destruction." 



158 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



A Geanddaughter's Eequest. 

"Dayton, Ohio, January, 1866. 

" Dear Brother Earle : 

" I want to ask 3^011 to please pray for my dear 
old grandfather, whose hairs are white with many 
winters. O, do not forget him in your prayers, 
that he may seek the Savior ere it is too late." 

From a Little Scolder. 

" Manchester, N. H., 1864. 
"Dear Mr. Earle: 

" You have almost brought me to the Savior. I 
think I have found him, and he is precious to my 
soul. You remember my telling you I could not 
keep from scolding. I prayed that night very 
earnestly, and I believe God helped me, because 
the next day I tried very hard and almost suc- 
ceeded. I am going to try every day. I want to 
love God still more." 

From a Grateful Deacon. 

" Burlington, Vt., June 26, 1866. 

" My DEAR Brother Earle : 

" I have much to be thankful to God for. I have 
a kind, Christian wife, two kind, Christian daugh- 
ters, and a little jewel just given us, to be cared 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. ' 159 

for and trained for heaven. O, how much I love 
them ! Yet I love my dear Savior more than these. 

"Now, my dear brother, I cannot express the 
gratitude I feel towards you for what you have 
been enabled to do for me and mine, and the cause 
of Christ in this place, during the past two weeks. 
I have felt, in being in your company, that I was 
getting as near my Savior's representative as man 
could get. I have enjoyed joxxv words of counsel 
and cheer. I have felt that God, by his Holy 
Spirit, was with you at all times. My heart was 
drawn out towards you before you came here ; but 
how much stronger does the magnet draw as I come 
nearer to it ! Why is this ? The answer to my 
mind is, Because of your nearness to my blessed 
Savior. 

" I feel that I have come to love Christ and his 
cause more ; have found a nearness to God that I 
have never known before. I feel that I am abetter 
man, and better prepared to labor in the vineyard ; 
my implements are in a better condition for use. 
My purposes are very much strengthened. 

" While I say these things for myself, I know I 
can say the same for my family, and especially 
would I mention my wife's parents. Mother says, 
' How many sermons brother Earle has preached, 
taking for his text, The food he eats, the clothes he 
wears, and everything his eye rests upon.'" 



160 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



From two little brothers, sons of one of the 
ading mc 
Union : — 



leading members of the San Francisco Ministerial 



" My dear Mr. Earle : I am very glad you came 
here, for since I gave my heart to Jesus in your 
room I have been very happy. I wish you would 
stay here a little longer, for I think these meetings 
are doing a great deal of good. I hope you will 
pray for all the boys that have come to Christ 
while you have been here, and remember that we 
will all pray for you. Wherever you go on this 
coast, may the Holy Spirit rest on your labors ; 
and may you get home safely to your children, and 
meet us all in heaven at last." 

From the other brother : — 

" My dear Mr. Earle : I am exceedingly happy 
since I g^ve my heart to the Savior. I know that 
Christ has received me into his fold. I am very glad 
that you came to this city. One reason why I am glad 
is, that by you I found a precious Redeemer. I wish 
you could stay here longer, and advance the religion 
of Jesus. I hope that wherever you go you may be 
the means of leading many sinners to Christ. When 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. IGl 

you are returning to Boston, you may remember 
that I am praying for you. I thank you very much 
for all your kindness to me." 

"In such an Hour you came." 

" Cincinnati, January 6, 1866. 

" Kind Friend : You are about to leave us for 
another field of labor. I can say, with many 
thanks, it has been good for me that you have 
been here. Three years ago a light from the 
* shining shore' flickered across my life-path. 
I listened to a ' still small voice,' saying, ' Give 
me thine heart.' I learned to know that voice, 
and loved it. I ' laid down my arms,' laid my 
burdens at the feet of the great Shepherd. One 
after another have the blossoms in our home-gar- 
den been culled to bloom anew in Paradise. On 
the billow of earthly sorrow Christ has laid his 
hand, and said, ' Peace, be still.' But — must I say 
it ? — there have been times wh^n I seemed all alone 
— there was no Christ ; weary — no rest ; hungry — 
no manna. All was dark. In such an hour you 
came. Your plain teaching and perfect trust helped 
me to say, 'The Lord is my Shepherd.' I have 
wept bitter, scalding tears at my unworthiness ; 
but you have said, ' The Lord loveth his erring ones.' 
Many of your sermons will be treasured in memory 
11 



162 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

forever ; they will be green spots in the desert of 
life. 

"My earnest wish and prayer is, that God may 
ever be with you, Christ's promises your stay, and 
holy angels forever over you." 

BUKDENED FOR FrIENDS. 

" Stockton, Cal., December, 1866. 

" Dear Brother Earle : I have an aching heart 
to-day — a heavy-laden heart. I feel as did Jacob 
of old, that I cannot let the angel of God depart : 
*I will not let thee go except thou bless me.' 

" I cannot bear the thought that ours may be a 
divided family in the other world. I desire the 
prayers of Christians for my dear parents. O, how 
dreadful if they should be lost ! Will you pray for 
me that I may have faith in God ? " 

We cannot save Ourselves. 

*' Sacramento, January 1, 1867. 

«Eev. Mr. Earle. 

" Dear Brother in Christ : To-day, I think, is 
the happiest ' New Year ' I ever experienced. 

" I thank God for the sermon you preached from 
the text, 'Have faith in God.' From that time I 
have seen my utter helplessness, and inability to 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 163 

save myself by any act of my own. I have been 
enabled to see the beautiful simplicity of faith — 
of taking God at his word. Then and there I took 
Christ as my all in all, and have since been sweetly 
resting in him by faith." 

"No OTHER KeFUGE." 

" San Jose, Cal., February 11, 1867. 

" Dear Brother Earle : . . . My experience 
for several days has been gloomy. My mind has 
been exercised in a peculiar manner, and I have 
been tempted to doubt the genuineness of my 
conversion to God. 

"The doubts in my mind, and the peculiar rela- 
tions of my business life and associations at the 
present time, render my work in the good cause an 
up-hill one of no ordinary grade. For several days 
I have not seen a single ray of light — not one 
bright spot to dispel the inky blackness which 
seems to press down close on my defenceless 
head; and often has the cry been forced from 
me, — 

* Cover my defenceless head 
With the shadow of Thy wing.' 

« I have no other refuge in this storm but Christ, 
and to his cross I will cling even though I perish 
there. 



164 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

"I have made an entire surrender of soul and 
body, with everything I know of, to God ; and I 
cannot think he is doing anything else than testing 
my faith in the fire of a furnace seven times 
heated. 

' for. a faith that will not shrink, 
Though pressed by every foe, 
That will not tremble on the brink 
Of any earthly woe ! ' " 

The writer of this letter is a business man in San 
Jos^. He rose one evening in our meeting, and 
requested prayer for four persons. He says he 
made this request in derision, but sat down a con- 
victed sinner, and did not rest until he found peace 
in Christ. 

The Way little Feeddie biade his "Will. 

The following letter was written by Freddie's 
sister : — 

" Brooklyn, N. Y., March 17, 1866. 

" Dear Brother Earle : . . . Little Fred- 
die was always ready to give, especially to the 
Sabbath school. When the Tabernacle Baptist 
Church was built, Mr. Spencer, our superintend- 
ent, asked the children if they would not heli? 
pay for the building, telling them that every 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 165 

three cents they brought would pay for two 
bricks. Dear little Freddie, who was then five 
3'ears old, collected as much money as he could, in 
order, as he said, that he might own some of the 
bricks. But he did not live long, to enjoy the Sab- 
bath school on earth. The last Sabbath he spent 
with us he wept bitterly because he could not go to 
Sabbath school. 

"He had just been promoted from the infant 
class, and his teacher had given him a Testament. 
As we stood around his dying bed, he asked for his 
Testament, and, clasping it in his hands, said, ' Give 
all my money to the Sabbath school,' and fell 
asleep, as he had lived, in Jesus." 

The following letters, from two little sisters, 
show how differently even young Christians can 
regard the same truth. To both Jesus was precious. 
To one this was simply a matter of happy experi- 
ence ; to the other, it was the evidence of her con- 
version : 

« Mr. Earle : I thinh I have found the Savior, 
and he is precious. I want you to remember me in 
your prayers, and I will remember you in mine. 

Laura." 



166 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

The other sister writes, — 

" Mr. Earle : I hnow I have found the Savior, 

because he is so jprecious, Prav for me that I may 

be one of God's flowers. 

Nellie." 

" Must Work as well as Wish." 

" Cincinnati, Ohio, January, 1866. 

" My dear Mr. Earle : . . . I have often 
wished to be a Christian. You taught me that to 
become one I must work as well as wish, — seeh if 
I would find. I felt the truth of your teachings, 
and sought my Savior, and trust I found him ; for 
I have sweet peace and happiness, such as life's 
pleasures never gave. All the years of my life will 
be too short to serve him. ... I know that with 
my human heart I cannot live Christ-like, unless he 
leads me. . . .1 want to do some good while I live, 
— to bring some weary, sin-laden soul to Jesus. I 
want to be willing even to bear the cross, and if, 
by and by, I may wear the crown, I don't want it 
to be a starless one. 

" You will always be remembered, for you were 

instrumental in having my name written in the 

Lamb's book of life. ... 

Georgia." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 167 



CHAPTER Xm. 

THE VEEMONT MEETING. 

GOD works through means of his own sover- 
eign choosing ; often, perhaps always, in his 
moral world, through individual instrumentalities. 
It would seem as if God loved to set the great seal 
of his strength upon what otherwise were weakness. 
He touches the spring of a single human heart as 
tenderly and absolutely as if it were the only heart ; 
then touches corresponding springs in many others, 
and when all is ready, he places, at the weakest 
point it may be, a little battery in shape of some 
event or providence, and the whole unconscious 
community of hearts is stirred into sudden life and 
responsive action. 

In the year 1866 the Spirit of God moved in this 
manner : first upon the heart of one man who was 
to be the mover in the matter, and then upon the 
hearts of many ministers and church ofllcers in 
Vermont, producing such a new impulse and inter- 
est as culminated at length in a unanimous call for 



168 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

a convention of Christians of all denominations in 
the state, to be held in the city of Burlington, for 
the purpose of making a united effort to get nearer 
to Christ individually, and of consultation with each 
other as to the best means of promoting a revival 
of religion in the churches. The people came 
together upon the fifth day of September, and con- 
tinued the meeting through three days, holding 
each day three sessions, each session continuing 
three hours. Some remained in the place of meet- 
ing from nine o'clock in the morning until five in 
the afternoon, spending the interval at noon in 
prayer and inquiry for entire consecration to 
Christ. 

In the words of Rev. John Quincy Adams, who 
was present, " No description of these meetings 
can be given to one who was not present. At the 
first meeting we attended, on the morning of the 
fifth, brother Earle, who had been requested to 
preside over the convention and direct its move- 
ments, and who had preached the evening previous, 
gave us a discourse from the text, ' Eestore unto 
me the joy of thy salvation.' 

" At the close of that sermon about fifty ministers 
came forward and knelt at the altar, making then 
and there an unconditional surrender of themselves 
to God. And from that meeting until the close of 
the convention on Friday, testimony after testi- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 1(39 

mony to the reception of the rich blessing of God 
in leading Christians into a higher knowledge of 
Christ and his requirements of them, was given. 
The sensible presence of the Holy Spirit was at 
times almost too much to be borne ; and the whole 
audience would be melted into tears, or feelings 
would find vent in sobs or audible expressions of 
praise. 

" On the morning of the eighth, by the special 
suggestion and urgent request of some of the 
brethren, about an hour and a half was occupied in 
relating personal experiences of the blessedness 
and vital importance of an entire self-dedication to 
Christ. 

" Almost every moment between the public meet- 
ings was occupied in conversation with inquirers 
upon this subject, who literally besieged us, so 
that we gladly went without our food to afibrd 
time to converse and pray with them. 

" At the close of the sermon on Friday evening 
sixty or seventy testified that they had formally 
given themselves wholly and forever to God. Old, 
gray-headed ministers tearfully and solemnly de- 
clared that they were ' never in such a meeting 
before.' " 

At the close of the public services we retired 
to the vestry to hold an experience meeting, to 
recount the manner in which each came nearer to 



170 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

the Savior ; and it seemed as if the very place 
was filled with the power and presence of the Holy 
Spirit. 

A correspondent of the " Xew York Examiner " 
says, "The meeting at Burlington, Yt., last week, 
under the direction of Rev. A. B. Earle, was one 
of an extraordinary character. It was evident that 
the brethren who met there had been waiting on 
God in secret before coming together publicly. 
The attendance was very large ; almost every church 
in the state being represented, and several brethren 
from other states being in attendance, and, like the 
meeting on the day of Pentecost, the brethren 
were ' with one accord in one place.' 

" Earnest desires for personal holiness were 
expressed by all, especially the pastors of the 
churches. The most entire, and solemn, and irrev- 
ocable consecrations were deliberately uttered by 
one after another. More than once about fifty 
pastors were bowed together before God, pledging 
themselves to renounce all worldly ambition and all 
self-seeking, and consecrate themselves and their 
entire being anew to the service of God. The 
testimony of not a few was given to the reception 
of an increased measure of the Holy Spirit, and, in 
several instances, the declaration that a new ex- 
perience had been realized, as the result of an 
entire consecration to God, and the reception, by 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 171 

faith, of the Lord Jesus Christ, in all his fullness, 
as their Savior. 

" Constantly increasing power was manifested 
from the commencement to the close. Each meet- 
ing was better than the preceding one. Frequently 
the entire audience was melted, and nothing but 
sobs could be heard. 

" The preaching by brother Earle was character- 
ized by great simplicity, and every sermon seemed 
specially prompted by the Holy Spirit. 

"When the opportunity was presented for per- 
sons to come forward for prayer, not less than two 
hundred took the front seats, which had to be 
vacated to accommodate them. In some instances 
the midnight hour heard the voice of pr^wer in the 
dwellings and hotels w^here the delegates were 
stopping, and in others the rising of the sun was 
anticipated by earnest supplications. 

" I think we may confidently look for a glorious 
revival of religion in Vermont this fliU and winter ; 
and I hope that other states will imitate this move- 
ment inaugurated at Burlington. 

"The universal testimony was, 'I was never in 
such a meeting in my life.'" 

The experiences alluded to in the above did not 
lose their depth or fervor with the close of the 
meeting, — the work of the Spirit thus manifesting 
itself in their permanancy as well as blessedness. 



172 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

One says, several months afterwards, in a letter, 
" I have been a professor of religion for more than 
thirty years. I have never lost sight of my Master, 
although I have followed him a great way off. I 
now seem to have him by my side by night and 
day, in the market and in the church, and I do feel 
that he is a blessed Savior." 

Another says, "For years I have had the form 
of godliness without its power ; have been thought 
to live when I was dead. O, those years of joyless 
life! — knowing my Master's will, feeling alive to 
duty intellectually, but not willing to do it ! I 
have always clung to my church, and never thought 
of leaving it, though well knowing how unworthy 
I was. God would not let me alone. But to live 
a stranger to the peace of God, and yet find no joy 
in sin, is awful. 'I will arise and go to my 
Father,' I resolved. He met me while yet afar off. 
O, the jo}' of being home again ! I cannot tell the 
comfort and blessedness of the past week. Earth 
even seems changed ; the Bible is precious beyond 
all other books, and above all, Jesus is my Savior 
now. It seems as if I had lived in the twilight, 
and now I rejoice in summer suns and flowery 
fields." 

A minister, called by his brethren "one of the 
strongest men in Vermont," was able to attend but 
one day, but speaks of it as one of the most impor- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 173 

tant days of his life, as he then, with fuller and 
more solemn purpose than ever before, dedicated 
himself to God and his cause, and received an im- 
petus for all coming time. 

In a letter written by a brother from New York, 
who attended this meeting, he speaks of being 
present at some county meetings in his own state, 
and of engagements to attend several others, simi- 
lar in character to the one in Vermont, and says, in 
conclusion, "These meetings were the immediate 
results of the Burlington convention. I feel that 
to have been one of the most important meetings 
since the day of Pentecost." 

Still another testifies : "The Lord is blessing the 
feeble instrumentalities made use of throughout the 
state, such as ' four days' meetings,' &c., which all 
acknowledge have grown out of that great meeting 
in Burlington." 

"The good influence of the meeting held here just 
before your departure for the Pacific coast," writes 
another, "has been seen and felt in many direc- 
tions, both in and out of the state. There seems to 
be a more general inquiry among the ministers and 
laymen, ' What can be done for our churches, and 
for the souls of impenitent men ? ' Meetings on a 
lesser scale are being held all over the state, and 
in other states also, with blessed results. The 
meeting at Burlington is often referred to, very 



174 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

tenderly and gratefully, as being a marked manifes- 
tation of the descent of the Holy Ghost in answer 
to prayer." 

Thus God works. And the vibration of that one 
little battery may have for its circuit a continent 
or a world, for still the work goes on. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 175 



CHAPTER XIY. 

"COME OVEE AND HELP US." 

THE following letters are given, — as specimens 
of those that come to me by almost every 
mail, — to show the need of more evangelists. To at 
least twenty-nine out of every thirty such requests 
I am under the painful necessity of saying, " No." 

" Is IT NOT THE SpIKIT OF GOD ? " 

" Elizabeth, N. J., September 4, 1865. 

" My dear Brother Earle : I can hardly ex- 
press to you how earnestly we desire your coming 
among us. I wrote you three letters a year ago, 
and when we learned that you could not come last 
fall or winter we felt a deep regret. . . . 

" Our church is at a point in its history when a 
few weeks' labor of an experienced evangelist will, 
we believe, through the blessing of God, result in 
untold good. . . . 

" And now, my dear brother, do not say, ' Nay.' 



176 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

I feel that I cannot have you disappoint us. I 
seem to hear the cry of the perishing in this com- 
munity, whom the pastors and churches have failed 
to reach, saying, ' Come over and help us.' If it 
were necessary, I would gladly go and see you, and 
lay the case before you more forcibly than it is 
possible to do in a brief letter. 

" I have prayed earnestly over this matter, and 
feel as if I could lay my hand upon you, and say, 
* You must come.' Is it not the Spirit of God? Is 
not God moving my heart and the hearts of the 
brethren to send for you ? I now leave the matter 
with you and with God. May he direct your heart 
towards us, even as he has directed ours towards 
you. 

" Though I have not seen you, yet I feel that I 
know you in the Lord. 

Yours in the gospel, 

G. W. C, Pastor:' 

" Richmond, Va., 1868. 

«Kev. a. B. Earle. 

" My dear Brother : I address you in the 
name of the Baptist pastors of this city. . . . We 
have seen with deep interest the accounts of your 
labors among the churches in the North, and recog- 
nize you as one whom it has pleased God our 
Savior to bless with remarkable success in reviv- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 177 

ing Christians and winning souls. Our churches 
are greatly in need of such gracious influences as 
have attended your ministry. We have, therefore, 
agreed to solicit you afi'ectionately and urgently, to 
make us a visit early next fall, and spend several 
weeks with us laboring for the salvation of souls. 
We are prepared to welcome you with open hearts. 

" We trust you will favorably consider our 
request, and at an early day appoint a time when 
we may expect you. ... 

" In the service of a common Master, 

Yours afi'ectionately, 

I. A. C." 

"Grand Rapids, Mich., August 27, 1866. 

«My dear Brother Earle : I wrote, and re- 
ceived a letter from you almost two years ago, about 
coming here and holding a series of meetings. 
We have been laboring and praying, and feel that 
the time has come for you to do us good. There 
have been a few conversions. We all feel that we 
must love Jesus more, and do more for him. Can 
you come and preach Jesus to us ? You shall have 
the hearty help oi all the church. . . . Do, my dear 
brother, if possible, help us. 

Yours truly, 

C. B. S." 
12 



178 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



" COIHE NOW.' 



" Lynn, February 9, 1860. 

« Dear Brother Earle : We want you here — 
waut you very much — want you now. Can you 
not come, and come soon? One has come oiit on 
the Lord's side — others are anxious. There is 
evidently a preparation and an asking after the 
Lord. We n^ed evening preaching — evangelistic 
labor. We need you. I know you, and have 
fellowship and S3^mpathy with j^ou. The brethren 
know of 3^ou, and say, 'Come now.' 

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

A. O., Pastor:' 

From the pastors and members of the evangelical 
churches of Napa, California : — 

"Napa, February 4, 1867. 

«Eev. a. B. Earle. 

"Dear Sir: We, the undersigned, pastors and 
members of the different evangelical churches of 
Napa, having watched with deepest interest the 
progress of your efforts since your arrival on this 
coast, and earnestly desiring that we and ours may 
enjoy the benefit of your labors, which God has 
been graciously pleased to bless abundantly in 
those places which you have already visited, do 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 179 

unitedly and cordially invite you to hold with us a 
series of religious meetings as soon as it may be 
convenient. 

"Assuring you of our prayerful interest in your 
work, and promising our hearty cooperation and 
support, we hope that ere long you may come to 
us ' in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of 
Christ.' " 

To this was attached a long list of names. But 
I could not go. 

From Washington Territory : — 

"Vancouver, W. T., April 11, 1867. 

" Rev. Mr. Earle : The citizens of Vancouver, 
and the United States garrison at this point, would 
be pleased to have you come to our city and preach 
to us. 

" The undersigned feel anxious that you should 
visit this city, for a day or two at least. Should 
you find it in your power to comply with our 
request, be pleased to have us informed when it 
would best suit your convenience." 

To this long list of names,. also, I was obliged to 
say, " No." 



180 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

"Do NOT ANSWER, NaY." 

" Vallejo, Cal., March 4, 1867. 

« Eev. Mr. Earle. 

"Dear Sir: Souls are perishing here, and we 
would urge upon you our claims. Do, we beseech 
you, come and visit this place. We feel assured 
that a great harvest is here . awaiting the reaper. 
Will you come and thrust in the sickle ? Do not 
answer, Nay. The truth has long been faithfully 
preached, and we are not without the evidence of 
God's blessing ; yet our hearts are not satisfied, 
and Christians are unitedly praying for a special 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and there is a general 
assurance that God will open the windows of heaven 
and pour a large blessing upon us. 

Mrs. H. B. K., 
Wife of Rev. H. B. R., Preshyterian Minister 
at Vallejo. 

"P. S. Since writing the above your communi- 
cation, in reply to my husband's, has been received, 
and our hearts are pained. I think we shall have 
to follow the example of a certain man who caused 
his neighbor to rise and give him bread because of 
his importunity. Do try and spare us a little time 
and effort, and our prayers and blessings will be 
upon you. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 181 

" That God may open yonr pathway to this place 
is the earnest prayer of your friend, E. S. K." 

From a cold church : 

" , N. H., August, 1865. 

"Key. Mr. Earle. 

" Dear Sir : It is more than twenty years since 
there were more than two added to our church by 
baptism at one time. During this period quite a 
number have left us to form other churches ; many 
have left town, and others have been called by their 
Master to come up higher. The remainder of us 
are very cold or lukewarm, and feel unable to con- 
tend with the hosts of our adversary. We have 
tried to arouse ourselves at several different times, 
and to set ourselves about our Master's business, 
but soon fell back, if possible into a worse condi- 
tion than before. 

" There are but very few of us that take part in 
meetings, and none of us feel able or qualified to 
do so. 

" Our pastor has been sick, and is now in a dan- 
gerous condition. It is doubtful if he is able to 
preach this fall, if at all. 

" Some of us wanted to send for you last fall, but 
others thought we were unprepared to receive a re- 
vival preacher, because we were so cold. I have 
talked with quite a number of late, and they are 



182 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

unanimous in favor of inviting you to come and 
labor with us this fall. 

" Tlie churches are very feeble all around us, so 
far as spiritual strength is concerned." 

From the President of Corvallis College : — 

" Corvallis, Oregon, April 12, 1867. 

«Eev. a. B. Eaele : The brethren of the Pres- 
byterian, Baptist, and Methodist churches, to you 
send greeting ! 

"We feel truly grateful to Almighty God for 
that degree of success which has thus far attended 
your labors and ministry in Oregon. It is our 
prayer that God's people may be united in the 
great work of salvation, and then we may confi- 
dently expect still greater displays of divine power 
in awakening and converting sinners. 

" We feel great need of revival influence in our 
midst. For this we are laboring, for this we are 
praying. 

" To aid us in our endeavors to glorify God, and 
advance the interests of Christ's kingdom, it is the 
earnest desire and request of the different churches 
in our city that you spend a few days with us. I 
am confident there is no city in Oregon where your 
ministry is more needed. We learn that your visit 
in Oregon is limited to a few weeks; yet we feel 
that could you fully realize our wants, a share, at 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 183 

least, of your precious time would be given to 
Corvallis. May God direct you, and if consistent 
with his will, give you a mission to our people, and 
that a mission of salvation ! May God continue to 
bless your labors ! 

" In behalf of the churches of Corvallis, I sub- 
scribe myself, 

Yours fraternally, 

W. A. F., 

President of Corvallis College." 
* Prating God to send you to Baltimoee." 

" Baltimoke, Md., NoTember 28, 1864. 

" Dear Brother Earle : It is with emotions 
almost impossible to describe that I attempt to pen 
you this heartfelt epistle. 

" I have been in Baltimore now over one year, 
preaching, and God has owned my poor efibrts, and 
I have had the gratification of baptizing nearly 
thirty happy converts, and of seeing my congrega- 
tion more than trebled, and our prospects some- 
what encouraging ; yet we are far from a general 
revival spirit. 

" O, what desolation is experienced for the want 
of some faithful and unflinching one to ' stand up 
for Jesus.' I have been led to cry out in the bit- 
terness of heart, in the words of the prophet, ' By 
whom shall Jacob rise, for he is small?' 



184 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

" There is no such field for well-directed effort in 
all the land as here. Now, brother Earle, I have 
been praying God to send you to Baltimore. O, 
that my prayers may be answered ! For I do be- 
lieve, from what I know of you, that you would see 
the salvation of God. Are you at liberty to come? 
Can you feel that duty calls this way? O, may 
God direct ! 

Yours affectionately, 

E. F. C." 

The widely-known and honored Dr. F., of that 
city, has sent a like request. But I have not yet 
been able to say " Yes " to either of them. 

"This Fashionable City." 

" Newport, E. I., August 6, 1868. 

"Eev. a. B. Eaele. 

" My dear Sir : . . . Can you not come to 
Newport this August? Even if you cannot stay 
beyond a few days, or preach more than two or 
three sermons, come. 

"I long for this fashionable city, now, in August, 
in the full tide of fashion, in all this wonderful 
pomp of pride and wealth, to feel God's power. 

" Who knows but God may give you some of 
these disciples of Mammon and Pleasure as tro- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 185 

phies for Christ? God is omnipotent. O, what a 
field this for divine grace ! 

Most affectionately, yours, 

C. H. M." 

Only those in similar situations can know what 
it costs me to deny these petitions that are con- 
stantly coming, with pleading so earnest, from large 
churches and from small churches, from churches 
cold and from those active and growing, and rep- 
resenting almost every evangelical denomination. 

Official calls are usually accompanied or followed 
by private letters from pastors burdened for their 
churches; from church members longing ^to see 
their pastors more in earnest in the Avork of saving- 
souls ; from parents weary with praying for uncon- 
verted children, and from devoted Christian wives 
anxious for the conversion of their husbands, each 
case having its peculiar and strong claims. 

And when, in response to such urgent need, I 
am obliged to sit down, and hurriedly write, "I 
cannot be with you, "'then am I moved to pray, " O 
Lord, raise up more evangelists ! Call into this 
work men after thine own heart, who shall be will- 
ing to renounce worldly honor and ease, that they 
may win souls to Jesus." 

Young men, who may read these pages, does 
not God call upon you to enter this branch of the 



186 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Christian ministly ? The mere fact of a want of 
more men is not, of course, a call to enter this or 
any department of the ministry, but it is a call for. 
you to offer yourselves to the Lord, and, with a will- 
ingness to go or stay, seek to know his will. 

Pastors, has not God, by special adaptation, in- 
tended some of you for this work ? 

Christian friends, of whatever name or place, 
will you not join with me in the prayer that God 
will multiply the number of those whose special 
work is the promotion of revivals ? " The harvest 
truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few : pray 
ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will 
send fogth more laborers into his vineyard," and, 
among them, more evangelists. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 187 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE OPINION OF PASTOES. 

BY request, I give a few letters from some of 
the pastors with whom I have labored. Their 
value to any one but myself, and my apology for 
consenting to their publication, are, that they 
answer the inquiries so frequently made about the 
character of these meetings, and the permanency of 
their results, and the work of an evangelist. 

From Rev. Dr. Ide : — 

" Springfield, Mass., March 21, 1864. 

"Rev. a. B. Earle. 

" My very dear Brother : At the close of your 
labors with my people I feel it to be both my duty 
and my privilege to express to you my deep sense 
of obligation for your assistance in the glorious 
work of the Spirit now in progress among us, and 
my entire satisfaction with your ministrations. 

"Your preaching has been thorough, sound, 



188 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

evangelical, tender, and winning, adapted alike to 
quicken believers and to arouse and melt sinners. 

"During the four weeks that you have been with 
us, I do not recollect that you have said or done a 
thing that has not met my cordial approval. 

" Your labors have been greatly blessed to the 
revival of gracious affections in the hearts of Chris- 
tians ; and hundreds in this city, converted through 
your instrumentality, will in eternity praise God 
that he sent you to us. 

" I believe that the great Head of the Church has 
given you the office and the qualifications of a true 
evangelist : that he is with you in your work. 

" I know that I speak the feeling of every pious 
heart in the city, and of large numbers who are not 
pious, when I say that I most heartily thank you 
for your coming, and pray that the same divine 
blessing that attended your visit here may still fol- 
low you wherever Providence may lead you. 
Very affectionately yours, 

Geo. B. Ide." 

From Rev. Dr. Kirk : — 

" Boston, May 14, 1866. 

"Rev. a. B. Eaele. 

" Dear Brother : It makes me happy to find a 
happy Christian, made so, not by temperament or 
indiscriminating good nature, but by the fullness of 
Christ's Spirit. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 189 

"I bless God, and thank you, for your labors in 
Boston. I have long waited for an evangelist with 
whom I could cordially cooperate. After more 
than twenty years of waiting, God has granted me 
this desire of my heart. 

" I congratulate you, both on the revelation the 
Lord has made to you of himself, and on the bless- 
ing which has crowned your labors here and else- 
where. The good you have been enabled to 
accomplish here cannot be comprehended by any 
statistical statement. It embraces several classes 
of benefits imparted to great numbers of persons in 
the city and out of it. 

" Ministers have learned of you to live nearer the 
Savior, to preach more script urallj^, simply, and 
earnestly than was their wont. They have learned 
to draw their hearers to more prompt and definite 
decisions on the vital question. Shall I submit to 
Jesus? Backsliders, to an uncommon extent, have 
been reclaimed during this revival. Sinners have 
been converted to God. Besides all this, a sweet 
influence has been diffused through the community. 
Without compromising the truths of the Bible, you 
have awakened no opposition needlessly. 

" All pastors who seek the salvation of men will 
find their facilities for doing good greatly increased 
in consequence of your labors. 

" Myself I regard as a better man and minister 



190 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

for having known you, and been associated with 
you in this blessed work, the memory of which will 
enter heaven with us, and diffuse its fragrance 
through eternity. Let us give all the glory to 
whom it belongs. 

Yours in the fellowship of Christ, 

Edward N. Kirk." 

From Eev. Dr. Turnbull : — 

"Haktford, Ct., December 26, 1864. 

« Rev. a. B. Earle. 

" My dear Brother : I wish cordially to thank 
you for your labors of love among us in this city, 
in connection with the two Baptist churches. 

" Incessantly, night and day, have you given 
yourself to the work : preaching with great sim- 
plicity and power the fundamental truths of the 
gospel; holding inquiry meetings, and conversing 
w^ith the anxious at your room. 

"I thank you, especially, for your uniform pa- 
tience and kindness in all your intercourse with 
inquirers and others. You have won the cordial 
esteem and love of the members of our churches 
and of the pastors who have labored with you. 

" May the Lord bless you in all your efforts to do 
good, and in all your future course of life. 
Your friend and brother, 

Robert Turnbull." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 191 

From Eev. I. D. Clark, in the "Watchman and 
Reflector " : — 

"I know of no man so well adapted to the work 
of a successful evangelist as brother Earle. Plain, 
direct, and forcible in his preaching ; careful and 
discreet, and yet sagacious in his management of a 
meeting beyond any man I have ever seen ; this, with 
his almost marvellous faith, persistency, and iron 
power of endurance, make him, what he has been 
for years, a power in the church. 

"Instead of weakeniug . the pastoral tie, he 
strengthens it, unites the church in a deeper piety, 
and, like John the Baptist, prepares the way for a 
still more blessed work after his leaving. At least 
so it has been with us," 

From Rev. Dr. Phelps : — 

''New Haven, Ct., June 5, 1865. 

" My dear Brother Earle : Before you leave 
us this afternoon, I must, in a word, express to 
you my gratitude to God and to you for the great 
privilege I have enjoyed the past five weeks in 
being permitted to witness and join in your evan- 
gelic labors among my people and in this city. 

"We have been quickened, edified, refreshed, 
and brought nearer to Christ, in hearing the 



192 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

gospel from you, and in kneeling in prayer with 
you. 

"Your conduct of revival meetings has been 
judicious, scriptural, and adapted to win souls. 

" The Master has been with us, and made you the 
honored instrument of the conversion of many 
precious souls among us. . . . 

" May our blessed Lord, my dear brother, long 
spare you to labor as an evangelist ; and may we 
sometimes share in your labors here again. 

" You will ever have a warm place in our hearts, 
and a remembrance in our prayers. 

Yours affectionately, 

S. D. Phelps." 

From Rev. Dr. Harvey, in the "Journal and 
Messenger " : — 

" Brother Earle's work with us has been greatly 
blessed. The sound judgment and clear views of 
the gospel which characterize him, with his kind, 
earnest spirit, and strong faith, have given him a 
large place in the confidence and affection of Chris- 
tians here, and mark him as a man singularly 
adapted for such labors. 

"His sermons have been distinguished, not so 
much by novelty of subject matter, or mere logical 
demonstration, as by the vivid illustration of the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. I93 

great common truths of the gospel, and the earnest 
enforcement of them on the conscience and the 
heart. 

"We have had no noise. 

" The large and solemn congregations which have 
often crowded our spacious house attest the power 
of the truth as presented by him." 

From Eev. Dr. Hague, in the " Watchman and 
Reflector " : — 

" Again and again have we been asked by friends, 
far and near, ' What do you think of Mr. Earle as 
an evangelist and a co-worker? Does he exert an 
influence that is healthful and enduring? Wherein 
lieth his power ? ' Some who are mere lookers on 
ask these questions from the mere impulse of curi- 
osity, and many others from a sincere desire to 
know the truth. Now this question as to the 
secret of power is more easily asked than an- 
swered ; for spiritual power is like some of the 
hidden forces of nature, that may be recognized by 
their efl'ects, while they are so subtile as to escape 
analysis. The realm of material nature is full of 
hidden forces that baffle every effort of science to 
define. So it is in the spiritual realm ; there is 
power that is felt, but < thou canst not tell whence 
it Cometh nor whither it goeth.' Its 'springs are 



o 



194 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

in God.' We have often met men, in all depart- 
ments of life, whose power we have acknowledged, 
while we could not define it or characterize it by 
any combination of graphical words. 

" Such a man, no doubt, was Barnabas, the co-* 
worker of Paul. His power was great. Luke 
acknowledges it ; takes note of it as having been 
mightily felt at Antioch. But he does not report 
a single address, exhortation, speech, prayer, or 
sermon ; simply says of Barnabas, 'He was a good 
man, and full of the Holy Ghost and- of faith ; and 
much people was added unto the Lord.' 

" ]^ow, in regard to Mr. Earle, his ministrations 
are incessant but never wearisome. We never feel 
disposed to report his sermons, but rather say, 
' Come and hear him,' ' Come and see him.' 

"First of all, you will say to yourself, he is 
honest, he is in earnest, he is simple-hearted, he 
believes what he says, he is a transparent char- 
acter; he has gained your sympathy and confi- 
dence. 

" Next, you are consciously inclined to give him 
your attention, and yield yourself to his friendly 
suggestions, that seem so apt, so judiciously put, 
so exactly adapted to your condition. They reveal 
you to yourself; they touch the points of your 
own unexpressed experiences ; they meet your deep 
heart needs. All at once, * before you know it,' 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 195 

as one said, you will respond to his appeals. You 
forget he is a minister, so far, at least, as to regard 
him officially ; you think of him as a good man, a 
fellow sinner, a loving brother, a joyous Christian, 
who has a heavenly treasure that he desires to im- 
part, and that you would receive. 

"If you must tell somebody where his power 
lies, you will say it is in his simplicity and godly 
sincerity, and a profound heart experience, which 
tells its own story and wins you." 

From Rev. Dr. Baldwin, in the " Christian Era" : 

*' Trot, N. Y., February 28, 1863. 

" Dear Brother Webster : Yours of the twen- 
ty-seventh, containing this inquiry, * Will you oblige 
me and my readers by giving us an account of 
the labors of Rev. A. B. Earle in Tro}^ and their 
results as far as they can now be judged of?' was 
duly received, and I make the following condensed 
reply. 

"Although I had heard much of brother Earle, 
I had never met him until he came here five weeks 
since to labor with me. Without ever having 
seen him, I invited him ' to come over and help ' 
me, for two reasons. One was the warm com- 
mendations I heard of him and his labors, from 
pastors with whom he had labored. From them 



196 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

I never heard but one opinion. The decisive 
reason, however, was this : While absent, visiting 
the army, nearly a year ago, brother Earle preached 
one sermon in my pulpit. When I came home, 
I found that that one sermon had produced a deej) 
religious impression upon my people ; and then I 
resolved to secuve his aid in a series of meetings I 
proposed to hold the following winter. . . . 

" With regard to him and his labors in general, 
I can truthfully say that our expectations have been 
more than realized. His solemn, earnest, and kind 
manner; his freedom from all vulgarities of ex- 
pression, or eccentricities of style ; his simple- 
heartedness and entire devotion to his work ; his 
honest piety, incessant prayerfulness, and strong 
faith; his plain, scriptural, pointed preaching ; his 
obvious dependence on the Holy Ghost, and free- 
dom from devotion to any particular routine of 
measures ; his warm and loving exhibitions of 
'Christ crucified,' and his fidelity in bringing the 
law truths in direct contact with the conscience ; 
his yearning after the salvation of souls, and his 
developments of the blessedness, importance, and 
means of attaining the higher Christian life, — these 
and similar elements in him, his preaching and his 
work, have secured to him the aflection and con- 
fidence of my own soul and that of my beloved 
people. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 197 

"To me, as a pastor, he has been a most affec- 
tionate, confidential friend, as well as a most efficient 
helper. No man could labor with another more 
considerately, more faithfully, than he has with me ; 
and I commend him to all my brethren in the 
ministry as w^orthy of their most implicit confi- 
dence. 

" The work in our church has been the deepest, 
most thorough, and general I have ever witnessed 
in a pastorate among them of nearly nineteen years, 
during which time God has graciously favored us 
with many precious * visitations from on high.' 

"The unanimous judgment of my most spiritual 
people is, that for clearness and thoroughness they 
have never heard the experiences of those already 
received into the church surpassed. 

" We regret that on account of his many press- 
ing ensraofements, our beloved brother is about to 
leave us, for the work appears as promising as ever. 
But w^e shall always bless God that he came to us ; 
he is embalmed in our grateful affections. All will 
be rejoiced to see him in Troy, and none so much 
as myself and my family, w^ho have enjoyed his 
society during these weeks in our own house. 
Fraternally, 

Geo. C. Baldwin." 



198 BRINGING IN SHEAVES 

Eev. J. E. Kendrick, D. D., in the "Examiner 

and Chronicle " : — 

"... Brother Earle's labors have been inde- 
fatigable, earnest, and in one view almost super- 
human. It is little less than a miracle that his 
physical system endures with apparent ease the 
steady strain of five weeks' continuous toil. 

"His preaching has been plain, pungent, some- 
times startling and lacerating in its stern fidelity, 
yet always kind and free from bitterness, unchari- 
tableness, and the language of denunciation. It 
has been marked, not merely by simplicity, direct- 
ness, and tenderness, which I expected, but by a 
real power, which, I confess, took me by surprise. 
It is often fresh, quaint, and truly original, giving 
a new aspect and force to truths which familiarity 
and stereotyped modes of treatment have degraded 
into impotence. 

"Brother Earle evidently understands human 
nature very thoroughly, and here, in my judgment, 
lies one great secret of the effectiveness of his la- 
bors, so far as those labors are open to our view 
on the human side. I have already intimated that 
his spirit is gentle and genial, tolerant and encour- 
aging towards those who do not fully share his 
views or unite in all his measures. Thus he car- 
ries with him the warm regards of all those to 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 199 

whom he has ministered, and lives iu pleasant re- 
membrances after his departure to other fields. 

" One of the happiest eflccts of our meetings has 
been to vitalize the piety of a good many languid 
disciples, and rouse them to a hearty service in the 
Master's cause. Our church is left, I think, not in 
an exhausted state, ready for reaction and depres- 
sion, but in a healthy, working condition, inspired 
and exhilarated by Christian love and hope." 

Rev. Thomas Armitage, D. D., in the same pa- 
per : — 

"... I have never had an opportunity of toil- 
ing side by side with our brother till now, and 
although his method of presenting truth is so 
different from my own, I shall esteem it a great 
privilege to pass through another siege with him, 
whenever the providence of God may open the 
way. 

" A number of friends who are not acquainted 
with brother Earle, have asked me wherein his 
ability lies. He often takes occasion himself to 
say that he aims at nothing profound or oratorical 
in his preaching, yet his sermons are so good that 
they hold the attention and stir the hearts of almost 
all classes of minds. He preaches like a man in 
earnest. Both in the pulpit and out of it, he is 



200 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

a pattern of Christian manliness. There is nothing 
that borders even on the small and mean, either 
in his spirit or manner. Common sense is one 
of his handmaids, and comes at his beck. She 
seldom fails him. A Christ-like tenderness runs 
through all his appeals, both to the converted and 
the unconverted. With this is blended a child-like 
simplicity. These are followed by an indefatigable 
toil, the most indefatigable that I have ever wit- 
nessed. And the whole of these are crowned by 
unceasing prayer, and by an unwavering faith in 
God. 

" In leaving us he carries with him the warm love 
both of pastor and people, and our earnest prayers 
that he may long be spared to the churches, and 
that showers of blessings may accompany him 
wherever he goes." 

From Rev. Dr. Boardman : — 

" Philadelphia, May 5, 1868. 

« My dear Brother : I cannot part with you 
without giving formal expression to my feelings 
of gratitude that you have been permitted to labor 
among us. 

" For years I have been convinced that Christ, 
in his administration of his church, has a place 
for the office of ' evangelist,' in the modern, tech- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 201 

nical use even of that term. My only doubt has 
been concerning the fitness of those who have 
thought themselves called to that office, — not 
concerning the office itself. 

" I cheerfully bear record that, in the toilsome 
and patient fidelity with which you have exercised 
the office while among us, — in the earnestness 
and simplicity of style which has marked your 
preaching, — in the kindness of spirit with which 
you have treated the severest themes of the law, — 
in the absence of eccentricities and mechanical 
artifices, — in the helpful spirit with which you 
have cooperated with me, and in your full and 
distinct recognition of the supremacy of the pas- 
toral office, — in this I recognize evidences that 
God has indeed called you to * do the work of an 
evangelist' (2 Tim. iv. 5). 

"May God long spare your life, and keep you 
humble, and continue to make you instrumental 
in winning to Christ multitudes who in His 
gracious purpose are ordained to eternal life. 
Affectionately yours, 

Geo. D. Boardman. 

«Rev. a. B. Eaele." 



202 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 



CHAPTEE XYI. 

SERMON. — TITLE EXAMINED. * 

'' Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not 
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out 
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; 

DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY." — Matt. vii. 22, 23. 

THE Savioi: in these few words lifts the veil that 
conceals from us the future, and permits us 
to look upon a scene of the judgment, at the final 
assembling of all people and nations to receive 
their everlasting sentence. It is one of mingled 
grief and happiness, joyful surprise and bitter dis- 
appointment : some, who were all their lives in 
doubt and fear about their hopes of heaven, receive 
from Jesus a welcome and a crown; while others, 
who had been loud in proclaiming their devotion to 
God, or had gone through life without any fear 
about their salvation, are doomed to the abode of 

* Preached in Tremont Temple, Boston. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 203 

the lost, and turn away in horror and despair upon 
the hopeless " left hand." 

0, who can tell the disappointment, when those 
who have lived and died in the fellowship of the 
church, and have gone to the judgment expecting 
a welcome among the white-robed throng that 
dwell on the banks of the river of life, receive, 
instead, the sentence from the Judge, "I never 
knew you : depart from me " ! What could make 
amends for the anguish of such a disappointment? 
And yet, our tex^ tells us, this will be the ex- 
perience of many at that approaching trial. 

Let me, therefore, urge upon each one of you, my 
hearers, the importance of a thorough examination 
of your hope, or your title to heaven. 

1. We should be thorough, because it is a 
matter of faith, and not of sight. 

Were it something we could see with our eyes, and 
our hands could handle, we could then very quickly 
and easily satisfy ourselves as to its validity. But 
such is not the case — it is in no way connected 
with the bodily senses ; its evidences lie wholly out- 
side of their province. It is wholly a matter of 
faith, — we speak of a clear title as the " assurance 
of faith : " the Scriptures affirm it still more ex- 
plicitly, telling us, "Faith is the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," as 
though this faith was to its possessor what the deed 



204 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

of your house is to you — a clear, genuine title, 
signed and sealed. But while the title to your 
house can be read at any time, and its genuineness 
ascertained without difficulty, your title to heaven 
requires the most careful and thorough examination, 
because its evidences are, as I have observed, be- 
yond the reach of the bodily senses ; and it is still 
more difficult, because these evidences vary with 
your faith. When your faith is clear and strong, 
they are clear ; and obscure and weak, when your 
faith is weak and clouded. ^ How unwise and 
dangerous, then, is a hasty, superficial examina- 
tion of a title, on the genuineness of which our 
eternal happiness depends, when the evidences of 
that title are so subject to change, and must be read 
only through the medium of the spiritual vision ! 

2. We should be thorough, because it is often 
difficult to distinguish between a movement of the 
animal feelings and true religious affections and 
impulses. 

Many professors of religion go to meeting and 
appear very happy, and honestly think themselves 
Christians, and yet, in truth, they know nothing of 
the love of Christ ; their happiness is no deeper 
than their emotional nature. 

A person who loves Jesus may be cast down and 
sad, while another may apparently be happy in him, 
and yet be a stranger to pardoning grace. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 205 

Emotions come and go, like the waves of the 
sea, with our changing circumstances. The fruits 
of the Spirit appear, on a superficial examination, 
to be closely imitated in the natural and unrenewed 
heart, — so that we want a better evidence than 
the mere fact that we are happy. We want a title 
that is unmoved by sorrows ; that neither floods nor 
flames can destroy ; — 

" A faith that shines more bright and clear 
When tempests rage without ; 
That when in danger knows no fear, 
In darkness feels no doubt. 

" That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown, 
Nor heeds its scornful smile ; 
That seas of trouble cannot drown, 
Nor Satan's arts beguile." 

3. We should be thorough, because we are in 
danger of being satisfied with the existing standard 
of religion in the community where we live. 

The standard of piety, in most places, is very 
low. Christians have been " measuring themselves 
by themselves, and comparing themselves among 
themselves," until that dwarfed and imperfect 
pattern seems to be about the only one we employ, 
or care to employ. If we reach that, we are quite 
likely to settle down into a contented state, without 
making much further elfort. 



206 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Many are evidently relying very much on the 
forms of religion, without its vitality and power, 
and that, too, in our evangelical churches. 

The standard of admission to our churches is 
also low in very many cases ; a few tears over sin, 
a little outward change, and especially a certain 
correctness of theory and deportment, far too often 
open the door to church membership, while the 
heart is still unrenewed. 

We need, therefore, great care in our examina- 
tion, lest we take up with a mere human standard 
of religion. 

Jesus has given a pattern in his own life on the 
earth, and in the plain teachings of his word ; by 
that, men must measure themselves. O, that we 
might all do so, for therein would we find safety ! 

4. Another reason for a thorough examination of 
our title is, A deceived soul is a constant dead 
weight in the church. 

The man who is deceived may pray, or preach, or 
exhort, but his heart will not be in his work. He 
cannot speak from heart experience ; and as heart 
must answer to heart, you do not feel what he says ; 
or your heart, if warm and active with the love 
of Christ, cannot unite with his : it finds there no 
answering voice, not even a resting-place, and, like 
Noah's dove, turns back to its home. 

A warm-hearted, earnest Christian will some- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 207 

times kneel down to join in prayer with a deceived 
soul, and wonder why his heart is not moved and 
led by the prayer ; he cannot see any cause unless 
it be in himself. But the secret is, one heart has 
been made alive by renewing grace, while the 
other is still "dead in trespasses and sins." The 
deceived soul cannot pronounce the family lan- 
guage ; his lips may, but that does not answer, for 
it is a heart language, and no man can make his 
heart say, " Abba, Father," but by the Holy 
Spirit. It matters not how rich or influential the 
deceived soul may be, he is still a dead weight in 
the church. 

Simon made a profession of religion, joined the 
church, prayed and talked with the rest, was rich 
and influential, and yet he was regarded as an 
injury to the cause of Christ, just because he was 
a deceived soul, still " in the gall of bitterness, and 
in the bond of iniquity ; " his " heart was not right 
in the sight of God," and, so long as that was the 
case, nothing could counterbalance the burden such 
a heart was to the church. 

And so it has ever been and ever will be. A 
deceived soul, in the church, is a dead w^eight. 

5. We should be thorough in the examination of 
our hearts, because God will be thorough with us 
at the judgment, no matter how careless we may 
be here. 



208 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

O, what a fearful ordeal every person will there 
pass through, whether he be a true Christian, a 
(Jeceived soul, or one who never professed any 
interest in Christ ! " Every man's work shall be 
made manifest : for the day shall declare it, because 
it shall be revealed by fire ; and the fire shall try 
every man's work of what sort it is." 

Like the fire that brings out the half-obliterated 
letters and designs on a worn piece of silver, the 
fire and light of the judgment will reveal the real 
character of the letters on our titles to heaven — 
whether they were drawn with the red blood of 
Jesus or the pencil marks of earth. 

O, the bitter remorse of such an hour, when the 
church member learns that his title is spurious ! 

Let us, then, before it is too late, examine our 
hopes carefully and thoroughly, each for himself. 
Let us not trust to the judgment of the church or 
of our friends, for no one can know our hearts as 
well as ourselves. We know best whether we love 
to pray, whether we weep over lost sinners, whether 
we love God's people ; and so in regard to all the 
evidences, we can best search our hearts for them. 

6. Another reason for a thorough examination 
of our title is. Many professing Christians, and 
even ministers of the gospel, have actually found 
themselves deceived, after having been members of 
the cLarch for years. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 209 

A young man of fine talent and promise, after 
completing his studies, was settled over one of our 
large churches. 

The people were delighted with their new pastor : 
his education, his eloquence, his devotion to his 
work, and his theology, even, were all they could 
wish ; his discourses were listened to with great 
pleasure by large congregations. 

But soon those who knew Christ experimentally, 
and had power with God in prayer, became satis- 
fied that their pastor was an unregenerated man. 

All was right except his heart. The church, 
however, did not wish to part with him, or to injure 
his influence. Accordingly they, unknown to him, 
appointed a day of fasting and prayer for his con- 
version. 

But as they were assembling to humble them- 
selves before God for that purpose, the pastor saw 
a brother who never could keep a secret, passing 
by his study, and inquired of him why so many of 
the people were going into the church. The plain, 
straightforward reply was, " We are going to pray 
that God will convert your soul, pastor." 

This information deeply moved the heart of the 
pastor ; he went to his room, fell on his knees, and 
asked God to show him his real condition. 

And there, in answer to the prayers of his people 
and his own petitions, the Spirit revealed to him 
14 



210 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

the startliog truth that his heart was still unre- 
newed, and led him to give himself to Jesus, and 
obtain an experimental knowledge of the way of 
salvation. 

From that day he was all the church could desire. 

Very many professing Christians have discovered 
a similar mistake in time to correct it, and secure a 
genuine title. But multitudes, as our text teaches, 
pass through life in a careless state, expecting to 
reach heaven, and, dying with that hope in their 
hearts, go to their final reward, thinking to be wel- 
come within the " pearly gates " of the New Jerusa- 
lem ; yet there learn, to tlieir utter dismay and 
sorrow, they had been deceived, and, when it is too 
late to make any change, hear from the lips of the 
Judge their everlasting doom : " I never knew you : 
depart from me, ye that work iniquity." 

Who can conceive the magnitude of such a dis- 
appointment, not of a hypocrite, not of an out- 
wardly immoral character, but of a soul in one 
sense sincere, and yet deceived ; thought to have 
been born again, and yet, in reality, in the " bond 
of iniquity " ! 

" 0, wretched state of deep despair, 
To see my God remove, 
And fix my dreadful station where 
I must not taste his love ! " 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 211 

Let me then urge you to make a most thorough" 
examination of your title for heaven. Do not rest 
until you can say, "I know whom I have believed, 
and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which 
I have committed unto him against that day." 

" Yes, I'm secure beneath thy blood, 
And all my foes shall lose their aim : 
Hosanna to my Savior God, 
And my best honors to his name." 

To assist you in making this examination, I will 
answer, as well as I am able, the question. What 
ought to satisfy me that I am a Christian ? 

And, perhaps, I can do this in no better way 
than by making use of " Ten Evidences of Conver- 
sion," which I prepared some years ago, and now 
have with me on this little card.* On one side are 
these " evidences," and on the other ten questions 
for "self-examination," for older Christians, and 
which were drawn up originally only for my own 
heart. At such times as the present many wish 
to obtain them. I have already given away, in this 
manner, some fifty thousand copies, and now, to- 
night, any who desire a copy will be welcome to 
one after the close of the meeting. 

I wish each one of you would carefully examine 

* Pages 226 and 227. 



212 BRINGING TN SHEAVES. 

these evidences, and settle in your own mind whether 
you have one, two, half, or all of them ; and if you 
find one, — and but one, — take courage, and hope 
for others. 

1. "A full surrender of the will to God." 

As the will is the seat of the rebellion against 
God, this stronghold is the most obstinately de- 
fended and the very last to be surrendered. 

Men will give up their property, their health, 
their honor, their homes, and in some cases even 
their lives, sooner than surrender their wills. And 
yet no one can be regenerated until this is done : 
though the man give up all else, it is in vain, so 
long as he retires within this fortress and refuses 
its surrender. 

So that the first evidence of a genuine hope in 
Christ is, a will given up to God. 

In the case of the anxious sinner, this act of 
surrender is at once followed by a change : it is 
the first step in the way of salvation. The rebel- 
lion in his heart is gone, and, like Saul of Tarsus, 
his prayer is, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" 
He may think himself still in his sins, yet the 
change is apparent, though he may still be seeking 
pardon ; he is willing to do the very things he had 
stoutly refused to do until now. He, perhaps, had 
said, «No one shall know my feelings, until I am 
sure I am a Christian ; " yet now he is heard in the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 215 

crowded assembly, asking for prayer. Or, perhaps, 
he is the first to accept the invitation to go forward 
with those who are anxious, although he had as- 
serted that he never would take such a step. The 
sentiment of his heart is, — 

" I can hold out no more ; 

I sink, by dying love compelled, 
And own Thee conqueror." 

My hearer, have you this evidence of your conver- 
sion ? When the lines are clearly drawn, and you 
feel that you are called on to give up God's way or 
your own, do you adopt the latter course? If so, 
rejoice; if not, you have reason for great anxiety. 
Christians are not perfect : there are times Avhen 
they commit this sin of putting self before God ; 
but if this is habitual, and you find no real desire 
or purpose to make God's will first and supreme, 
you lack the most important evidence of a genuine 
title for heaven. 

2. " The removal of a burden of sin suddenly or 
gradually." 

The burden of conviction for sin varies greatly 
with difi'erent individuals : some persons are over- 
whehned with a sense of their guilt, while others 
complain that they have scarcely any feeling, and 
pray for deeper conviction. 

Yet, when conversion takes place, these burdens 



214 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

are removed, though, in one case, as suddenly as 
Bunyau's pilgrim lost his at the cross, and, in 
others, so gradually that neither the hour nor the 
day can be told. This difference in the removal of 
these burdens may be illustrated in this simple 
way : — 

Suppose two men each have a sack of sand tied, 
with strings, upon their shonlders, and in one case 
^the strings are cut — the sack with its contents 
instantly falls to the ground ; but in the other case 
a small hole is made in the sack — the sand runs 
out slowly, and the man is so gradually relieved of 
his burden he scarcely realizes when it was removed, 
nor can he fix upon any moment, and say, " At that 
time my load was taken away." Yet the latter was 
as great and real a change as the former, and the 
real work — that done by the knife in cutting the 
strings, and in opening the sack — was as instantane- 
ous in one case as the other, only the results or 
evidences followed gradually in one case and in- 
stantly in the other. 

If, then, your burden is gone, and you feel that 
some love to God and his people has taken its 
place, you have an evidence of a change of heart, 
no matter though you cannot tell the time of the 
change. 

If there be " the full corn in the ear," there has 
surely been " first the blade, then the ear." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 215 

3. "A new feeling of love to Christians and to 
Jesus." 

This is one of the best evidences, and almost the 
first change, the renewed soul discovers. 

" We know that we have passed from death unto 
life, because we love the brethren." 

The young convert seeks the society of Chris- 
tians — they appear so different to him ; when the 
prayer meeting has closed, he waits that he may 
speak with them ; his song now is, — 

" Lonely I no longer roam, 

Like the cloud, the wind, the ware ; 
Where you dwell shall be my home, 
Where you die shall be my grave." 

If you discover this evidence, and only this, be 
encouraged, and go forward in the Christian jour- 
ney ; the morning star is the harbinger of the full- 
orbed sun. 

I was baptized and taken into the church when I 
had only this one evidence. I was determined to 
go forward, and perform the duties required of a 
faithful Christian. And, as I w^ent on, evidences 
began to multiply. I was like the traveller, who, 
finding one mile-post, passes on to another, and 
then on to still another, and so on in his journey, 
each one increasing the evidence that he is on the 
right road, and, also, is steadily approaching the 
desired city. 



216 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

God has said, " Then shall we know, if ^Q follow 
on to know the Lord." 

If you find one spark of this love in your heart, 
thankfully cherish it, although it may have come so 
gradually, and may still be so faint, you can but 
just discern that it is there. The wind sometimes 
blows much more softly than at other times ; yet it 
is as really the wind that whispers in the zephyr as 
that thunders in the hurricane. So in conversion : 
some come into the kingdom shouting their love 
to God, their evidences seem to them so clear; 
and others come with but a gentle breath of love ; 
yet both conversions are equally genuine and pre- 
cious. 

4. " A new relish for the word of God." 

All true conversions are followed b}^ a new love 
for the Scriptures. There is a lingering over the 
inspired page, unknown before; the words of Jesus 
are full of beauty and sweetness ; the objections 
that once were made are gone. It is no longer a 
gloomy book. The convert finds some of its con- 
tents wrapped in mystery ; yet he understands 
enough of its truths to lead him to say, " O, how 
love I thy law ! It is my meditation all the day." 

There may be times when none of this love is 
felt. 

Emotions vary with circumstances ; one class 
may be wholly thrown out of sight for a time, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 217 

and another altogether different aroused by some 
change in our surroundings, — thus all relish for 
the Bible may temporarily seem to be wanting. 
But even at such a time we need not be wholly 
cast down and discouraged; there is good reason 
to believe we have been " born again," if we can 
remember seasons when we could say, " My soul 
hath kept thy testimonies ; and I love them exceed- 
ingly : " such love is the fruit of a renewed heart. 

5. "Pleasure in secret prayer, at least at times." 

This is a good evidence of a change of heart ; 
for it is very natural that we should find pleasure 
in converse with those we love : and since prayer 
is converse with God, we must have some love for 
him if we find pleasure in this exercise. 

" Behold he prayeth," is one of the first signs 
of spiritual life : a renewed soul will pray. 

I think no unregenerated person ever enjoyed 
secret prayer for a single hour. If, then, you 
do enjoy secret prayer, even at times, and exhibit 
some of the fruits of true prayer in your life, you 
have good reason to hope that you are an heir of 
heaven, although you may never have had the con- 
viction and the light you desired. 

" Prayer is the breath of God in man, 
Keturning whence it came ; 
Love is the sacred fire within, 
And prayer the rising flame." 



218 BRINGING IN SRHAVBS. 

6. " Sin, or sinful thoughts, will cause pain." 

Unholy thoughts are often thrown into the minds 
of even the most devoted Christians, and while 
they are endeavoring to serve God — perhaps in 
the closet, or in the prayer meeting, or in the pul- 
pit. The Christian will always be liable to them 
while on the earth. But there is no sin in them 
unless they are cherished. Only when they are 
pleasing, and are cherished, do they make us 
guilty. 

Jesus had such thoughts thrown into his mind. 
The devil suggested to him that he give up the 
purpose for which he came into the world, and 
become universal king; but the thought was in- 
stantly hurled back upon Satan, its author. 

Again it was suggested that he throw himself 
dow^n from the pinnacle of the temple — only a 
thought ; but Jesus found no pleasure in it, and 
rejected it wholly and at once, vanquishing the 
tempter with the " sword of the Spirit," " It is 
written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy 
God." 

And thus He " who knew no sin " teaches his 
followers that no matter how vile and unholy the 
thought that may come into their minds, there is 
no taint of sin about it if it is at once rejected. 

The question, therefore, for us to settle about 
these unholy thoughts is this : Do they produce 



■ BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 219 

loathing and sorrow? If they do, there is evidence 
in that pain of love to Jesus. But if they produce 
pleasure, and are cherished, they are " swift wit- 
nesses " against us. Are they unwelcome visitors? 
Then take fresh courage for your heavenward 
journey. 

7. " Desire and effort for the salvation of others." 
The natural impulse of the " new man " is, to lead 
others to the Savior. 

" Then will I tell to sinners round 
What a dear Savior I have found ; 
I'll point to thy redeeming blood, 
And say, ' Behold the way to God.' " 

Andrew's first impulse, after his conversion, was 
to seek the salvation of those about him. "He 
first findeth his own brother Simon," tells him what 
a precious Savior he has found, and then, as we 
are told, " He brought him to Jesus." 

And Philip, when his heart had been changed by 
pardoning love, went in search of his brother Na- 
thanael ; and although Nathanael tried to excuse 
himself, on the ground that Jesus was a Nazarene, 
Philip, in his new love and zeal, conquered, and led 
him to the Master. 

My dear hearer, do you weep over lost men? 
Does it sometimes seem as if you must go at once 
to the sinner, and show him his danger and need 



220 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

of a Savior? And yet are you troubled and hin- 
dered by the fear that you yourself are not a child 
of God? 

Then let me say to you, Throw aside that fear, 
and go to work for Jesus, as your heart prompts 
you. Those desires are evidences of your love to 
Jesus. 

8. "A desire to obey Christ in his commands 
and ordinances." 

You need not be troubled to know how you came 
by such a desire ; but, if you find you have it, 
accept it with joy as an evidence that you have been 
born again. I refer, of course, to a desire to obey 
all the commands and ordinances, not isolated and 
particular ones. There may be some selfish reason 
for desiring to obey some particular command ; this 
must be the ruling desire of your heart in reference 
to every known command, in order to be of real 
value as an evidence of a new heart. 

Our Master says, " If a man love me, he will 
keep my words : " that means, I suppose, he will 
desire so to do, and will actually obey those com- 
mands so far as he understands them and has op- 
portunity. The heart is the controlling power; 
whatever a man loves most, to that he devotes him- 
self; if, therefore, there be the indwelling of a 
spirit of obedience to God, and an efibrt to do his 
will, it is an evidence of love to him. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 221 

No person should call himself a Christian while 
living in known neglect of one of Christ's com- 
mands or ordinances. 

The renewed sonl is anxious to know and do the 
whole will of God ; with one of old, he says, 
"Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, 
for therein do I delight." 



" I would not sigh for worldly joy, 
Or to increase my worldly good; 
Nor future days, nor powers employ, 
To spread a sounding name abroad. 

*' 'Tis to my Savior I would live ; 

To him who for my ransom died ; 
Nor could all worldly honor give 
Such bliss as crowns me at his side.'* 

9. "Deep humility and self-abasement." 
This must have a prominent place among the 
evidences of conversion. 

Whoever has seen himself a guilty, condemned 
sinner, vile and wretched, under the curse of a 
holy law, justly doomed to death, with no merit 
of his own, no ability to save himself, and one who 
if saved at all must be saved by pure, undeserved, 
unrequited grace, — whoever has thus seen himself 
will, when he has been actually thus saved and 
freed from the sin and curse that were resting On 
him, be very likely to feel humble. 



222 BRINGING IN SHEA YES. 

" 'Tis faith that lays the sinner low, 
And covers him with shame ; 
Renouncing all self-righteousness, 
It trusts in Jesus' name." 

A whole-hearted Christian will be humble, like 
his Lord, who " made himself of no reputation, and 
took upon him the form of a servant ; " for we are 
told in the word of God, " if any man have not the 
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." 

My hearer, can you claim this evidence — " deep 
humility and self-abasement " ? 

10. "A growing desire to be holy and like 
Christ." 

This is the crowning evidence of all. " A little 
leaven leaveneth the whole lump : " where the 
leaven of grace has been implanted there will be 
this " growing desire to be holy and like Christ," — 
an inward hungering and thirsting after righteous- 
ness. 

The unrenewed man has no such desire ; he may 
seek to be free from some faults and vices, and to 
make for himself a character that men will esteem ; 
but he has no desire to follow Jesus, and imitate 
him in holiness and self-denying devotion to 
God. 

The renewed man, on the other hand, desires 
this likeness to Jesus above all things else ; his 
unceasing prayer is, — 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 223 

*' Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ! 
E'en though it be a cross 

That raiseth roe ; 
Still all my song shall be, 
Nearer, my God, to thee. 

Nearer to thee." 

And even when the " dark river " has been crossed, 
and he is being conducted by angel guides towards 
his home in glory, he is represented as still longing 
to be nearer and more like Jesus : 

" And when on joyful wing 

Cleaving the sky, 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, 

Upward I fly ; 
StiU all my song shall be. 
Nearer, my God, to thee. 

Nearer to thee ! " 

Let me, then, inquire, my dear hearer, if you can 
claim one or more of these evidences that you are a 
child of God? 

If you can, then offer your thanksgiving to God. 
If but a single ray of sunshine from the cross has 
crept into your darkened heart, be encouraged, 
cherish all the warmth and light thus afforded you, 
and go forward, looking for the coming of other and 
brighter evidences ; " then shall we know, if we 
follow on to know the Lord." 



224 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

No Christian, however near the Savior, will real- 
ize all these evidences at the same time ; generally 
but one. 

One clay he will, perhaps, say, "I wanted to be 
constantly in secret prayer, it was so delightful 
and precious. I could feel the truth of those sw,eet 
lines, — 

* There is a place where Jesus sheds 
The oil of gladness on our heads ; 
A place of all on earth most sweet ; 
It is the blood-bought mercy-seat.' " 

The next day he has not so much inclination to 
pray, but rather a strong desire to read the word 
of God, and says, "How sweet are thy words unto 
my taste ! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth." 
At another time all his thoughts and feelings go out 
for the salvation of lost men. So he vibrates back 
and forth, — now to this evidence, and now to 
that. 

Do not, then, expect all these evidences to be 
found in active exercise at the same time. And 
even though you may, for a time, seem to be con- 
fined to one, remember that a renewed heart is just 
as necessary for the production of that one as for all ; 
the tree, and the usual operations of nature, are as 
essential to give us a single specimen of ripe fruit 
as to load our garners. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 225 

How many of you, my dear hearers, are now 
prepared to say, I believe I have been born again ; 
and, with what evidence I have, I will go forward 
and perform the duties of a faithful Christian as 
well as I can, thankful for what light I have, and 
hoping for more ? 

May Jesus bless us all with a genuine title for 
heaven, and say to each of us, at the judgment, 
"Gome, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the king- 
dom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world." 

Amen. 

15 



TEN EVIDENCES OF CONVERSION, 

FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 



>J«<c 



1. A full surrender of the will to God. 

2. The removal of a burden of sin, gradually 

or suddenly. 

3. A new feeling of love to Christians and to 

Jesus. 

4. A new relish for the Word of God. 

5. Pleasure in secret prayer, at least at times. 

6. Sin, or sinful thoughts, will cause pain. 

7. Desire and efforts for the salvation of others. 

8. A desire to obey Christ in his commands 

and ordinances. 

9. Deep humility and self-abasement. 

10. A growing desire to be holy and like Christ. 

— 1 John iii. 3. 



3>®<C 



Axe ^ou a Claristiarv^ li \iot,>Jv\vy^ 

(226) 



SELF-EXAMi:^rATIO]S'. 

FOR OLDER CHRISTIANS, 

1. Do I search my heart to the bottom, and 

act out my convictions ? 

2. Do I believe I control my tongue and 

temper ? 

3. Do I really believe the Bible is the law of 

my heart and life ? 

4. Do I convince men that I believe there is 

an eternal Hell ? 

5. Am I greatly concerned for the salvation 

of men? 

6. Do I -act like a Christian in my family, and 

among my intimate friends ? 

7. Do I fully believe I have been born again % 

8. Do I know that I have power with God in 

prayer ? 

9. Do I believe I have been baptized with the 

Holy Spirit since my conversion ? 
10. Am I sweetly resting in Christ, by faith, 
now ? 



(227) 



228 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTEH XVn. 

EVANGELISTS. 

Their Trials and Joys. 

WHEN our Eedeemer "ascended up on high, 
he gave gifts unto men" — "some, apostles ; 
and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and 
some, pastors and teachers ; for the perfecting of 
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ ; till we all come in 
the unity of the faith, unto a perfect man, unto the 
measure of the stature of Christ." 

Thus we see that the work was not to be done 
through one department of Christian labor, nor 
were different offices to be merged in one, and 
placed on one man; but there were to be 
several distinct offices of ministerial labor, each 
calling for special qualifications, and each filled by 
its own special workmen, yet all working in perfect 
harmony, and for the same end — the perfecting 
of the kingdom of Christ. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 229 

The Savior having established these different 
departments, has always placed his seal of approba- 
tion on them, and says to those who labor in either 
of them, " Lo, I am with you always,. even unto the 
end of the world." 

One of these departments, as we have seen, is 
that filled by the evangelist. 

An evangelist is a minister who is not settled 
over a church, at least permanently, but is tempo- 
rarily to fill a vacancy, to form new churches, and 
to assist pastors and churches in special labor for 
the salvation of souls, whenever such labor is 
needed. 

Work began in this branch of service with the 
commencement of the church of Christ. Thus we 
find Philip, the evangelist, going forth and engaging 
in meetings in different places, for the purpose of 
promoting revivals of religion. 

"He w^ent down to the city of Samaria, and 
preached Christ unto them," continuing the meet- 
ing for some days and perhaps weeks. The work 
became so deep and general, that Peter and John 
were sent down from Jerusalem by the brethren, to 
assist in carrying it forward. 

After a while these brethren returned to Jeru- 
salem, but Philip went on towards Gaza, baptizing 
the eunuch on the way. So pressing were the calls 



230 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

for this kind of labor, that the " Spirit caught away 
Philip," and hastened him on to other places that 
were waiting for him. His next field of labor was 
at Azotus ; but how long he remained there we are 
not told. From Azotus he went on, and preached 
in all the cities till he came to Cesarea. Here was 
his home — the evangelist's home. 

Paul and his company stopped with this evange- 
list, and rested several days. It was no doubt a 
pleasure to Philip and his family to entertain such 
distinguished guests. 

But my principal object at this time is to speak 
of a few of the trials and joys of an evangelist : 

One great trial in this work is, the necessity of 
being from home most of the time. 

Those who have homes, where the dear ones 
dwell, and where the purest bliss and peace on 
earth can be found, understand at once the pain of 
such separation. It is hard to leave home for a 
single month ; but to be away from it year after 
year, for ten months out of twelve, when life is so 
very brief, is one of the hardest trials in the work 
of an evangelist. And, besides, home has so many 
sweet and soothing associations, so many holy, 
purifying influences, which are just what a minister 
needs in his work, — to be deprived of all these 
for so great a portion of the time is no small 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 231 

sacrifice. O, the joy of my bounding heart, when, 
after weeks, and perhaps months of unceasing toil 
and anxiety, I turn towards my home, weary and 
worn ! No matter how long the journey, or rough 
the way, or chilly the winds, I heed them not on 
the homeward track. 

I have often, at such times, repeated the ex- 
pressive lines ; — 

'* What do we reck on a weary way, 
Though lonely and benighted, 
When we know there are lips to chide our stay, 
And eyes that will beam, love lighted ? " 

But when home is reached after such an absence, 
one or two days are usually all I can spend with 
my family before duty calls me away to another 
meeting, already pledged. 

I often say to my family, I trust we shall know 
each other in heaven, where we may dwell together 
without interruption, and our joy be the greater, 
when the " sheaves," gathered through these years 
of separation are brought into the garners above. 
With this thought before us, we often sing these 
beautiful lines : — 

" When the holy angels meet us, 
As we go to join their band, 
We shall know the friends that greet us 
In the glorious spirit land. 



232 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

" We shall see the same eyes shining 
On us as in days of yore ; 
We shall feel their dear arms twining 
Fondly round us as before." 

But yet, with all this prospect of meeting and 
dwelling with the loved ones in the " better coun- 
try," the separation from them here is a very 
severe trial; and I can only say, as did that heroic 
missionary, Mrs. Comstock, — " Jesus, I do this for 
thee." 

Another of the evangelist's trials is, the distrust 
and prejudice cherished, even among good men, in 
reo^ard to his work ! 

Many pastors feel such a prejudice towards this 
department of ministerial labor, that they say, "I 
will never invite an evangelist to assist me ; " and 
not a few of their members sustain them in this 
position. This feeling becomes so strong that 
they honestly think, as Nathanael did about our 
Savior's coming out of "JSTazareth," that no good 
can come from such a source. 

This is, no doubt, in part the result of misrepre- 
sentation, and the want of a careful examination of 
the subject. And much, no doubt, is chargeable to 
the want of wisdom, and prudence, on the part of 
those of us who are attempting to perform the dif- 
ficult work of an evangelist. 

But while our mistakes have given cause for 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 233 

deep regret and sorrow, they are not a sufficient 
cause for the rejection of this divine appointment. 

Would there not be the same reasons for reject- 
ing the pastoral office ? 

Is it not marked by mistakes and inconsistencies 
equally great ? 

One of the disciples sold his Lord for a small 
sum : another denied, with an oath, that he knew 
him. Pastors have fallen into grievous sins, while 
the ministry of others is marked by many im- 
prudences. Yet we do not cast aside the pastoral 
relation on that account. We do not say that all 
work among men should be suspended, because 
everything that is done is imperfect. 

So with the work of an evangelist : it has been 
attended with inconsistencies, which have pained 
the hearts of good men ; yet, like the pastoral 
office, it must be perpetuated, notwithstanding its 
faults. 

And therefore, those who are called to this 
work must go forward in it, no matter what its 
trials. 

Years ago I made up my mind to go on with this 
Avork, and do what I could in the great harvest- 
field, and bring as many souls to Jesus as possible, 
without stopping to defend it against prejudice or 
opposition. And yet no one feels more keenly 
^han myself an ui^kind word, or look, or act, or 



234 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

is more sensitive to the touch of distrust or preju- 
dice. But knowing how short my time is, and that 
Jesus has used, and no doubt will continue to use, 
imperfect men in gathering the ripened harvest, I 
aim to speak kindly of all, and go on with my work, 
grateful for the success that has attended these 
efforts. 

" Soon the reaping time will come, 
And angels shout the harvest-home." 

It is a great trial also to be obliged to say "No," 
to so many calls for such labor. O, how' often the 
Macedonian cry is heard, " ' Come over and help us ! ' 
if not for a week, come even for one day." Al- 
though the heart yearns to go, a great proportion 
of these calls must be refused. 

The burden of soul at certain stages of a meeting 
is sometimes almost crushing. No one can realize 
this who has not borne the responsibility of con- 
ducting a series of revival meetings. 

It is often necessary to converse and pray with 
different inquirers many times in a single evening,, 
until Nature seems unable to endure more. 

When one meeting is closed, he must pass 
directly to another field, and so on for months 
without rest, until his whole being seems to be 
utterly prostrated, and Jesus, by the Spirit, whis- 
pers, as he did to the disciples, " Come ye your- 
selves apart into a desert place, and rest a while : 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 235 

for there were so many coming and going, and 
they had no leisure so much as to eat." 

It is a trial to be obliged to part with friends 
almost as soon as their acquaintance is formed. 

It is necessary in this work to go to a new field 
almost every month, and sometimes every week. 
All are strangers, many hardly seeing the necessity 
of the pastor's calling in such aid. But soon 
prejudice and coldness give place to warm, glowing 
love to Christ and his people, and with a company 
of happy converts in our midst, the acquaintance 
and friendship formed under such circumstances, 
even in a few days, are very pure and strong ; and 
to be obliged to tear away from all this so often is 
a great trial. 

Habit does not render it any easier. It is just as 
painful now, after having held about two hundred 
series of meetings, in different parts of the country, 
to part at the close of these seasons, where we have 
wept, and prayed, and rejoiced together, as it was 
many years ago. 

O, the strength of friendship formed at Jesus' 
feet! 

" It cannot in Eden be found, 
Nor yet in a Paradise lost ; 
It grows on Immaniiers ground, 
And Jesus' dear blood it did cost." 

Such are some of the trials in the work of an 



236 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

evangelist ; but they are far outweighed by its 
joys. 

One great source of comfort in his work is the 
necessity of living near the Savior, if he would 
have success. 

Most pulpits are now supplied wdth good, and 
in many instances talented ministers, who preach 
clearly the gospel of Christ : the ground is ploughed, 
and the seed sown, and only needs the showers 
and harvest sun to commence "■ bringing in 
sheaves," so that the evangelist's work consists 
largely in helping " gather in the harvest." To do 
this w^ork, he must have " power with God." He 
must abide in Christ if he would reach and move 
the hearts of men. 

It is said, " Barnabas was a good man, and full 
of the Holy Ghost and faith ; and much people was 
added to the Lord." 

We ought all to abide in the fullness of Christ's 
love ; but if we do not from choice, it is a great 
blessing to be compelled by the very nature of our 
work to do so. 

This alone is an ample reward for any sacrifice 
we can make. 

There is also the joy of constantly making new 
friends — and very warm and lasting friends are 
those made in a revival. What a joy, then, to 
be yearly increasing the number of real friends 
by thousands ! 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 237 

Another joy in this work is that of seeing im- 
mediate results from his labors. He labors for this, 
and looks for it — if he is right himself — without 
a doubt, and is not disappointed. Here the reaper 
overtakes the sower, and both rejoice together. 

Every month of his labor he is, perhaps, per- 
mitted to see hundreds of precious souls gathered 
into the kingdom of Christ, and the churches great- 
ly revived and strengthened. 

Who can describe the joys that rise 
Through all the courts of Paradise ; 
To see a penitent return, 
To see an heir of glory born ? " 

But the greatest joy connected with the work of 
a faithful evangelist is in reserve for him until his 
labors are ended, and he has passed within the 
pearly gates of the New Jerusalem. 

Then, when the glories of that wondrous world 
have fully burst upon his enraptured vision ; when 
his feet have really pressed its gold-paved streets, 
and the bright, beautiful banks of its flowing river ; 
when the music of the harps of gold, and of angel 
voices have thrilled his soul ; when he has really 
seen and bowed himself before the Savior ; when he 
begins to realize the blessedness and peace of such 
a home, — who shall describe the joy of his heart, 
as, from that white-robed throng there come many 
thousands, gathering around him, grasping him by 



238 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

the hand in gratitude and love, and lead him to the 
Kedeemer, saying, "Jesus, we have believed on 
thee, and been led to this beautiful world through 
this one whom thou didst appoint to ' do the work 
of an evangelist' in thine earthly kingdom ! " O, the 
joy of such an hour ! And as the endless ages roll 
on, and his expanding mind ranges in wider fields 
of knowledge, and comprehends more and more the 
glories and wonders of the "inheritance of the 
saints," that joy will be ever growing deeper and 
sweeter, as he meets from time to time those who 
were brought there through his labors. 

There may be greater trials in other departments 
of ministerial labor than in that of the evangelist, 
but there cannot be greater joys. And he whom 
God calls to this work may well rejoice and give to 
it all his strength and powers. 

' ' O, faint not in the day of toil, 

When harvest waits the reaper's hand ; 
Go, gather in the glorious spoil, 
And joyous in His presence stand." 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 239 



CHAPTER XVin. 

UNION MEETINGS. • 

FOE a number of years past I have endeavored, 
when convenient, to have all evangelical de- 
nominations, who were willing, unite in meetings 
in which I have been called to labor, believing it 
to be better for the Redeemer's cause in the world, 
and for the salvation of lost men, that Christians of 
every name should work together in these special 
efforts. And although I have often labored with 
single churches of my own, and also of other 
denominations, yet I have usually felt satisfied that 
it would have been as well for that single church, 
and much better for the cause of Christ generally, 
had all the churches within a reasonable distance 
united in the work. 

I Jiave never seen, or heard, or read anything to 
change my views on this subject, but, on the con- 
trary, my experience and observation have been 
constantly strengthening them. 

I have no sympathy with denominational quar- 



240 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

rels. All Christiaus ought to exhibit towards each 
other the spirit of their Master ; they should be one 
in him, and love one another as brethren. 

This they can do, and still differ in their opin- 
ions. Their highest interests are one ; they have 
the same Savior, and journey towards one home, so 
that however dissimilar their views of some of the 
ordinances in the church, they can love as children 
of the same Father, and unite heartily in work 
for him. Nor does this compel them to hold their 
opinions loosely and half-heartedly ; such a thing 
would be dishonorable and unmanly in any one. 
I respect and love a Christian the more for being 
firm in his denominational views ; it is his duty, as 
it is that of every man, fully and decidedly to 
believe what he professes, and to practise what he 
believes. 

My own denominational sentiments have ever 
been dear to me, and never more so than now; 
and so I think it should be with every one. 

But, as I have labored, and wept, and prayed 
with thirteen or fourteen different denominations, 
in our own country and the British Provinces, I 
have learned to love all in whom I find the spirit 
of Christ. And, as I cannot and must not be the 
judge of their hearts, I concede to them, what I 
ask them to concede to me — the credit of entire 
sincerity. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 241 

I never allow myself, when holding union meet- 
ings, to compromise what I believe to be true ; but 
intend to preach, and pray, and labor just the 
same as when alone with my own denomination. 

If, as some maintain, the churches strive wrong- 
fully to secure for themselves the new converts, 
the blame must rest where it justly belongs. But 
I see no reason for unkind feeling between the 
diflferent denominations, although each preach and 
practise what they believe to be right. 

I am accustomed, in every revival, to urge the 
converts carefully and prayerfully to search the 
Scriptures, that they may learn the will of Jesus, 
and, having learned it, to go and do what they 
believe he would have them. 

Beyond this it does not seem necessary for me to 
go, nor can I think it would be wise ; because, 
believing it best to leave the work in the hands of 
the pastors while the interest is rising instead of 
waning, my stay in any revival is usually short, 
closing while many, frequently hundreds, are still 
inquiring the way of life. Further and more par- 
ticular direction, if needed, is left with the pastors 
and churches. I may have erred ; but this has 
been my usual course, and probably will be in the 
future. 

I will mention a few reasons for my confidence 
in the usefulness and propriety of union meetings, 
16 



242 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

where special efforts are to be made for a revival 
of religion. 

The^^ lead Christians to speak more kindly and 
tenderly of what they call each other's errors. 

As they work together they come to a better 
miderstauding of each other, and learn how few 
things there are in which they differ, and how 
many in which they agree. Their hearts are drawn 
nearer together, and they love one another as never 
before; and, as a natural consequence, they speak 
more carefully and kindly of each other, and of 
those things in which they differ. 

In times of revival the joy of salvation is 
restored, and this tends to the same result; no 
one, in the full enjoyment of religion, can speak 
unkindly of another. So that when Christians unite 
in labor for a revival, everything is at work remov- 
ing the disposition to speak of others in any way but 
kindly and lovingly. O that the sweet influences 
of these seasons of refreshing might permanently 
abide in the hearts of all believers ! 

What forbearance, what deep and tender love, 
what union of effort, what searchings after truth, 
what casting away of error, what rapid triumphs 
for Christ, what an attractive exhibition of the real 
spirit of Christ would then be manifest ! 

Union meetings convince the unconverted of a 
reality in religion. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 243 

When they see Christians who differ in their 
denominational views, bowing together in prayer 
and laboring harmoniously and lovingly in a re- 
vival, notwithstanding all they have said and pub- 
lished in support of the practices of their various 
churches, they are constrained to say, " We think 
you are honest. We now believe there is a reality 
in religion." 

A well-known gambler in Massachusetts was 
brought to Christ through just this influence, and 
said to me, "Mr. Earle, wherever you go, tell the 
world of my conversion; tell them I could with- 
stand the appeals of each denomination when they 
worked separately, but when they united in a 
meeting, and I saw the spirit of love prevailing 
among them, I felt its power, and gave myself to 
the Savior." 

A talented physician, who had advocated infidel 
sentiments for many years, came into one of our 
meetings on the Pacific coast, and publicly made 
this statement : " For the last four years I have 
been convinced that there wa^ no real foundation 
for infidelity ; and when I looked upon the difierent 
denominations, often speaking unkindly of each 
other, and refusing to work together for the salva- 
tion of souls, I felt there was about as little in the 
churches to rest upon. But when I attended this 
union meeting, and saw the brotherly love mani- 



244 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

fested, then I felt there was a reality in religion, 
and that I needed it. Nothing seemed to reach me 
until I felt the power of this union of denomi- 
nations." 

Such cases are becoming common; and they 
show clearly that when the impenitent see intelli- 
gent men, who honestly differ on points that seem 
to them of sufficient importance to require separate 
organizations, so far merging their differences as to 
toil and weep side by side for the salvation of 
souls, they are convinced thereby of a reality in 
religion. 

I will mention two instances, out of many, where 
churches of different denominations united and 
labored harmoniously together for a number of 
weeks, each administering the ordinances according 
to their own views, in the presence of the other, 
without apparently disturbing in the least the good 
feeling in the meeting, but, on the contrary, pro- 
ducing a marked effect in leading men to Christ : 

One occurred in New York more than twenty 
years ago. Two denominations —^Congregational 
and Baptist — united in a series of meetings, and 
continued them three months ; afternoons and 
evenings of one week all worked together in one 
church, and the following week in the other, thus 
alternating back and forth, from week to week. 
When the meeting had been going on about four 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 245 

weeks, the time came for the Baptists to have their 
communion season and receive new members. At 
this point, if at all, trouble was to be expected. 

The ministers and deacons assembled to consider 
what to do : whether to pass by the ordinances, 
because the two denominations differed in regard to 
them, or observe them, each church according to 
their belief, with the other present as spectators, 
and thus show to the world that they could differ 
on these points, and yet love each other, and work 
together cordially, leaving each denomination to be 
responsible to God for their peculiar views. 

It was decided to adopt the latter course ; and, 
accordingly, on the following Sabbath the Baptists 
observed both ordinances, just as they would have 
done alone, — giving their reasons for not inviting 
to the communion table the other church, who 
were present as spectators. 

The Holy Spirit descended upon the great con- 
gregation with melting power, and all seemed im- 
f)ressed with the fact that Christians could honestly 
differ and yet love one another. That week the 
revival was much more powerful than it had been 
at any previous time. 

Four weeks more of this united labor passed, 
and then the Congregational church observed the 
ordinance of the supper, receiving at the same time 
several adults and infants, according to their belief 



246 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

and practice ; — this time the Ba^Dtist church were 
present as spectators. 

The house was crowded. Again the Spirit filled 
the place ; and the ungodly went away, at the close 
of the service, feeling that they no longer had an 
excuse for doubting the value of the religion of 
Jesus. 

A few weeks after this, when it was thought best 
to close the extra meetings, the last day was spent 
in hearing converts relate their Christian experience, 
in the presence of both churches. Those candidates 
intending to join the Congregational church were 
then requested to take seats on one side the aisle, 
and those to join the Baptist, on the other. When 
this was done, each pastor brought forward the 
" articles of faith and practice " of his church, and 
examined the candidates for admission to that 
church, as thoroughly as he w^ould have done had 
they been alone. 

At the close of the meeting, all bowed in prayer 
and thankso^ivino: to God, who had so richlv blessed 
his people throughout that delightful three months' 
union meeting ; and all hearts found expression in 
the language of the familiar hymn, — 

"Among the saints on earth 
Let mutual love be found ; 
Heirs of the same inheritance 
With mutual blessings crowned.** 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 247 

Each pastor has since expressed a strong desire 
to repeat that union meeting, so productive of 
good. 

The other case was where the Baptist, Methodist, 
and Congregational churches united in a meeting, 
and carried it on, with great success, for four 
weeks. Many hundred, it was believed, found 
Christ precious. The meeting was held one or two 
days in one church, then in another, and so on 
through the four weeks. 

As the Baptist church had no pastor, I recom- 
mended, at the close of my labors, that all the con- 
verts read and pray and search the Scriptures, 
as the^^ had opportunity, for five weeks, to learn 
their duty ; and that, if any one in the three 
churches spoke unkindly of the other denominations, 
with an evident view of influencing them to join 
their church, they mark that member — for it 
would be an evidence that he was not enjoying 
much love to Jesus, and therefore his words on 
those matters should have little weight. 

With these suggestions I left them, promising to 
return in five weeks, and meet all the converts and 
the three churches, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, 
to hear experiences. 

When the day came, we all met according to the 
appointment. The entire day and evening were 



248 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

spent in hearing the experiences of the young 
converts. 

At the close, each church, in the presence of the 
others, appointed the time and place for meeting 
those converts who had decided to join that church, 
and completing the examination according to the 
views and practice of such church. 

The utmost harmony and good feeling prevailed 
between the churches, and Christ's cause was 
greatly honored and strengthened. 

These results have been experiened in so many 
other places as to confirm me fully in expecting 
them, wherever the diflferent denominations heartily 
unite in working for the salvation of men. 

On the Pacific coast, wherever I labored, the 
denominations united, and I found their power over 
the community greatly increased thereby. 

When we are united to Christ, we are strong ; so 
when we, who are his children, are united, I believe 
we are strengthened. One may " chase a thousand," 
but " two put ten thousand to flight." 

Another reason for a union of difierent denomina- 
tions, in special efi'ort for a revival, is, that the 
churches where the converts go will be prepared 
to receive them. 

When this is the case, the converts, as they join 
the various churches, are not taken to the arms of 



BRINOING IN SHEAVES. 249 

a cold mother, but find her warm, loving, and 
ready to nourish them. But when the revival is 
confined to one church, and converts — as some are 
almost sure to do — go to some other church and 
connect, they find no warmth, no nourishment ; and 
after a little while, we may hear that they have not 
held out well, and have been excluded. They 
may have truly loved Jesus, but the unrevived 
church had no such warm milk as was needed 
by these babes in Christ, and so they drooped 
and fell. 

The Spirit of God, I believe, is moving the 
denominations in regard to this subject — not only 
in favor of protracted efibrt for the salvation of 
men, but united effort. Calls come to me for such 
meetings from all parts of the country — from the 
Atlantic states, the Pacific coast, from our terri- 
tories and the British Provinces, and even from the 
Sandwich Islands ; so that I have now on hand 
requests for such meetings, from at least two hun- 
dred churches of other denominations, besides those 
from my own. 

O for more laborers, and more evangelists, to 
meet the urgent calls from all parts of the civilized 
world ! 

When this demand is met, we may soon begin 
to sing, — 



250 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

*' See, Jehovah's banner furled; 

Sheathed his sword : he speaks — 'tis done I 
Now the kingdoms of this world 
Are the kingdom of his Son. 

" Hallelujah ! hark ! the sound, 
From the centre to the skies. 
Wakes — above, beneath, around — 
All creation's harmonies." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 251 



CHAPTER XIX. 

FOUE DAYS' MEETINGS. 

THE Burlington meeting closed; I hastened 
home for a day, then on to New York, and 
embarked for the Pacific coast. For nearly a year 
I was absent from the Atlantic States ; yet during 
all that time the leaven of that one meeting was at 
work, and had proved itself of divine implanting. 
The great and effectual door, which our fathers had 
known forty years ago, had again opened to the 
church, and into it earnest Christians were pressing. 

Immediately on my return, calls came for meet- 
ings, three or four days in length, — " like the one 
at Burlington." States, counties, and associations 
had been holding them, and with great success. 

In October I met the churches of the "Wood- 
stock Association," for one of these meetings at 

Chester, Vt. — The interest was wide-spread, 
and drew together people from all the country 
around : mechanics closed their shops ; merchants 



252 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

left their stores ; farmers, their fields ; women, their 
homes, — and came to the place of worship. 

The " Watchman and Reflector," of October 24, 
1867, contains the following letter : "... Friends 
in Boston, Burlington, and Brandon had been pray- 
ing earnestly, as they had at many other points, 
that the Spirit would descend in great power upon 
the meeting. . . . 

"The clouds hung down close upon the moun- 
tains. Appearances all bespoke a long, uncom- 
fortable rain ; and before night, sure enough, it 
came down in torrents. If it shut out those who 
had not yet left their homes, it shut in those who 
had come, so that they had nothing but God's 
promises to rely upon. . . . 

" Sunday was a memorable day ; our Father 
smiled, and held back the rain, and parted the 
clouds, and gently, yet powerfully, shed abroad his 
Spirit in the hearts of saints and sinners. 

" The Baptist house was too small, and we went 
over and packed the large Congregational church, 
above and below. . . . 

" In the afternoon the subject of the * unpardon- 
able sin' was presented, to an audience still as 
death. All seemed as if taken to the very point 
of decision ; and when the people were invited to 
express their intention to cherish whatever degree 
of interest was then felt, almost the entire assembly 
arose. . . . 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 253 

" lu the eveniDg the expression on the part of the 
congregation was even more full and emphatic than 
in the afternoon. A second meeting was appointed 
after the dismission of the assembly. The body of 
the house was nearly full. From eighty to one 
hundred came to the front seats for special pra3^er. 
When, at ten o'clock, this meeting was dismissed, 
many bowed their heads and hearts, and could not 
go. . . . 

• " These meetings were open to all denominations : 
Methodists, Congregational ists, and Baptists, alike 
felt that it was good to be there." 

The plan was to close that evening ; but so deep 
was the feeling, I consented to remain through the 
next day, and take the midnight train for Massa- 
chusetts. 

This last day was the best of all. The academy 
in the place was closed, and worldly matters quite 
generally made secondary, so great was the inter- 
est. At the evening meeting, at the close of the 
sermon, those who believed they had that day 
obtained hope in Christ were requested to rise. 
Forty-six at once responded; one hundred spoke 
for Jesus. 

The memory of that evening is precious. 

A month after this meeting it was my pleasure 
to preach again in Chester, one afternoon and even- 
ins:. The work had continued. More than one 



254 BRINGING IN SHEA VBS. 

hundred persons, who either had no hope, or had 
just started in the way of life, but were groping 
in twilight, knelt in the aisles and around the desk, 
to be prayed for. 

The hearts of God's people were as warm as 
when I left them ; work for Jesus had brought its 
reward, as it always does. When we complain of 
spiritual coldness and leanness, we have only to go 
to work for the Master obediently and sincerely/, 
and our cause of complaint will be gone. • 

Charlestown, Mass. — At the invitation of the 
"Boston North Baptist Association," I began a four 
days' meeting, with the churches of that body, at 
Charlestown, Mass., October 17, 1867. 

The attendance, at the opening, was not large ; 
but the presence of the Master Workman, and the 
evidences that he had been preparing the ground 
throughout the association, were marked in the 
tone of the meeting, and in the requests made by 
pastors and their people for friends that lay heavy 
on their hearts. 

In the afternoon nearly the entire congregation 
knelt* down before God, and solemnly renewed their 
covenant with him. 

The second day was one of gracious triumph for 
Jesus; the powers of darkness were routed; the 
clouds rolled away; and the place seemed the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 255 

school of Christ, where all were sitting at his feet, 
learning of him. 

On the Sabbath the Spirit fell more especially on 
the unconverted, a large number of whom asked 
the prayers of God's people. 

Monday afternoon the pastors came back to join 
in a closing service, and all felt it to be a season of 
delight and blessing. 

Among the incidents of that meeting one comes 
touchingly to the minds of many of us, as we recall 
the name of our esteemed brother Fulton, father of 
the successful pastor of Tremont Temple church, 
Boston : 

Prompt at the meetings, quick to hear and obey 
the call of duty, ready for work, zealous for the 
Master, he yet seemed dissatisfied with himself 
and his work. 

And on one occasion of great heart-searching 
among Christians, he expressed a deep longing to 
know, beyond a doubt, that his feet were on the 
Rock ; and when an opportunity was given, he at 
once, with his usual decision, went forward and 
knelt with those who sought a clearer evidence of 
their acceptance. 

We wondered then, but now is it not all un- 
ravelled and made plain? Had not his inner ear 
caught the footsteps of the dread messenger? the 
premonition that his title to an inheritance among 



256 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

the blessed was about to be tested at the gates of 
heaven? Yes, the longing soul was already plum- 
ing itself for its upward flight, beyond all doubt, 
and fear, and sin, to rest forever with its Savior; 
for he had hardly time to reach his western home 
before there came back the tidings, "Mr. Fulton is 
dead ! " That prompt tongue was silent ; that ear- 
nest eye closed forever ; that meeting at Charles- 
town had, in truth, been the "vestibule of heaven" 
to him, where we had almost seen him throwing 
off the sin-stained, travel-worn garments of earth, 
and gathering around him the folds of the spotless 
robes of heaven. 

My brother ministers, who of us will go next? 
Are we ready to lay down the sickle and meet the 
summons ? 

I trust many still waiting on this side the river, 
were anointed from on high in this meeting, and 
are now, even here amid the work and trials of life, 
calmly anchored in the haven of God's promises. 

Ogdensburg, N. Y. — On the last day of Octo- 
ber I started for Ogdensburg, to begin the first of a 
series of four days' meetings, to be held in Novem- 
ber, stopping on my way at Amsterdam and Herki- 
mer to give some account of the work on the 
Pacific coast, and reaching my destination Saturday 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 257 

The meeting began on the following morning, 
with a good attendance from among the churches 
of the " St. Lawrence Association " — the body that 
had called the meeting. 

Though we started at the foot of the hill, the 
progress of the work was by no means slow. The 
way grew brighter at each step, and soon emerged 
into the clear sunlight, where we found our hands 
filled with work and our hearts with gladness. 
Christ revealed himself unto his people, and they 
communed with him as a Friend. There were 
those in attendance who learned for the first time, 
in their own experience, what the love and friend- 
ship of Jesus meant. Believers bowed anew in 
submission to their Father in heaven, and looking 
upon all the events of life, whether sweet or bitter, 
dark or light, as coming from him, found peace and 
contentment. 

Holy faith and love grew rapidly during those 
four short days ; and from the precious closing 
meeting on Wednesday evening we went away to 
our places in the battle of life, happier and stronger 
for our work than when we came together. 

Fairfax, Vt. — Long before the dawn of another 
day the cars were hurrying me away towards Fair- 
fax, where I was to begin a similar meeting with 
the churches of the " Lamoille Association." 
17 



258 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

This meeting opened with a large attendance, 
and marked manifestations of the Spirit's presence, 
and gave to sight as well as faith promise of a good 
work. The promise w^as realized : the glory of the 
Lord shone about us, and his salvation appeared 
unto many. 

His people laid their all anew upon his altar, and 
he bestowed upon them, in turn, his richest gifts. 
The "river, the streams whereof make glad the 
city of God," flowed far and wide, increasing in 
depth and power each day, until on the fourth and 
last day it rested on all the place " like a sea of 
glory," and bore to many hearts and homes the 
j3riceless blessings of life and peace. 

A letter in the " Watchman and Reflector," of 
November 21, says of this meeting, ". . .A large 
attendance from the churches, with nearly every 
one of the pastors, indicated the deep interest felt 
in the meeting. 

" Throughout the session the power of the Divine 
Spirit was very marked. . . . 

" Christians were very much revived, and re- 
turned to their churches prepared to work. 

" At the close of the exercises the following 
resolutions were adopted : — 

^'^ Resolved, That the Lamoille Association grate- 
fully recognize the hand of God in the present 
gathering of Christians at Fairfax, and acknowledge 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 259 

its obligations to him for the wonderful work of 
grace displayed in the quickening of his children 
and the conversion of sinners. 

" 'Resolved, That we do cordially recommend to 
our sister associations to hold similar meetings.' ..." 

Bristol, Yt. — The meeting at Fairfax closed 
on Monday evening, and the same night, bidding 
the delightful town good by, I started for Bristol, 
to meet the churches of the "Addison Association," 
fur a meeting of the same character. 

The first day was stormy ; the attendance, small ; 
the prospect, not very encouraging. We could not 
tell then, what God had in store for us ; but on the 
second day all question was gone. The storm 
abated, and the people came crowding into the 
village from every direction, for long miles, and 
gathered together, with one accord, in the place 
appointed for the meeting. 

From this time until the close it was a season of 
rare sweetness and heavenly blessing. 

On the second day nearly the entire congrega- 
tion, large though it was, renounced all selfish 
ambition, and pledged themselves to be the Lord's, 
in their hearts, their lives, and their all. Jesus 
was present among his people, ratifying the cov- 
enant by a gracious fulfillment of his promises. 

Genuine consecration to God will at once mani- 



260 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

fest itself in the life — a change will he seen ; this 
was marked in this case. At the evening service 
following this afternoon's work, the Spirit was pres- 
ent in great power, searching hearts as with a 
lighted candle. Duty was thus made plain, and it 
was promptly met and obeyed. Christians saw 
wrongs they had done their fellow-men, and con- 
fessed them on the spot. One brother grasped the 
hands of two fellow-Christians with whom he had 
been at variance, acknowledged his wrong, and 
asked their forgiveness ; and amid sobs and con- 
fessions, mutual forgiveness and reconciliation fol- 
lowed. The scene broke down the congregation : 
disputes, complaints, and coldness rapidly melted 
away, and at the close our hearts were one in 
Christ Jesus. 

The last evening of the meeting was one of 
mingled rejoicing and weeping: believers were 
happy in the Lord ; Jesus led them up to Pisgah's 
height; the impenitent were in deep sorrow on 
account of sin, and more than fifty of them asked 
the prayers of Christians. 

We could not tarry all night, as did the disciples 
at Troas ; but another meeting, — the final, parting 
service — was appointed, to be held the next morning 
at half past seven. And at that Pentecostal hour, 
the weather quite cold, and the darkness hardly 
gone, a large congregation gathered at the church. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 261 

I preached a short sermon, and then, in the remain- 
ing time before nine o'clock, — the hour I was com- 
pelled to leave, — seventy-five persons spoke for 
Jesus, and others led in prayer and songs of praise. 

The paper, just quoted from, says, jn a letter from 
a correspondent : " . . .It v^^as not long before the 
place of meeting was crowded to its utmost capa- 
city ; sinners were found inquiring the way of life, 
and converts were rejoicing in hope. 

" Brother Earle's engagements compelled him to 
leave on Friday morning, after a meeting as nearly 
approaching the joys of heaven as anything we 
expect to participate in, this side the land of rest. 

"The work continues not only unabated, but with 
daily augmenting power, and is extending itself 
into the adjacent towns. From forty to fifty are 
already rejoicing in a new-found hope, and new 
cases of inquiry are of daily occurrence. . . ." 

At a later date, Deacon S. wrote : " The good 
work still goes on ; Christians are alive to the 
work, and are taking their neighbors by the hand, 
saying, ' Forgive me for my poor Christian life and 
neglect in not coming to you before, and asking you 
to come to the Savior.' I have seen some touchinof 
scenes of this description between parents and 
children. . . . 

" To-day is a day of fasting and prayer, that God 
may prepare his children to go over the town, and 



262 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

converse with every person on the subject of re- 
ligion. Brethren and sisters are undertaking this 
work, who, two weeks ago, would have shrunk 
from it instantly ; so it is, God works through you 
in Bristol. . . . 

" I cannot find language to express my gratitude 
for your coming to Bristol ; and in this I know 
every soul in the place would join. ..." 

Saxtq^st's Eiver, Vt. — Leaving Bristol, I spent 
an afternoon and evening at Chester, and before 
the morrow's sun had risen was on my way to begin 
a similar meeting, at ten A. M., with the various 
denominations at Saxton's River. 

This meeting, though not associational, had 
quite an extensive influence, and was well at- 
tended. 

For many miles the people came, on foot, in 
private carriages, and by public conveyance, some- 
times packing every available seat and standing- 
place in the church. 

At times the entire congregation seemed swayed 
by the power of the Spirit, sinners were crying for 
mercy, and Christians were pleading with and for 
them, and for one another. But Jesus, ever nigh 
to hear and save, turned the mourning of many 
into rejoicing, and the terrors of a broken law gave 
way to the joys of pardoning grace. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 263 

The closiDg meeting was one of great refreshing ; 
our Father bestowed his benediction upon us, and 
we parted, faith pointing to the meeting above, 
where separation never comes. 

** There is a world above, 

Where parting is unknown ; 
A long eternity of love, 
Formed for the good alone ; 
And faith beholds the dying here 
Translated to that glorious sphere." 

But the work did not stop with this four days' 
meeting. Says a friend, in a letter nearly a month 
later : " . . .1 want to tell you what is being done 
in Saxton's E-iver. The Spirit of God is moving 
with mighty power; it does seem as though the 
place was being shaken from centre to circumfer- 
ence ; old and young are coming to Christ ; and 
religion seems to be the theme in every shop and 
store in the village. . . . 

" We all thank our dear Savior for directing you 
here, and we feel that God through you has worked 
a great work among us. It is the saying of many 
that this place has never been visited by the Holy 
Spirit with such power as at the present time. . . ." 

One of the pastors, writing for a Boston paper, 
at a still later date, says, "... The true revival 
spirit was poured on the place, and we are enjoying 



264 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

a more general and deeper work of grace than has 
been witnessed here, perhaps, for forty years. . . . 

"Both the churches in the place united in those 
meetings, and both are now reapmg a rich harvest. 

" A very beautiful scene was witnessed as brother 
Earle closed his labors with us. When leaving the 
house of God for the last time, as he was about to 
start for home, an interesting company of little girls 
were gathered in the vestibule, weeping, and de- 
siring to speak with him. When asked by him 
what they desired, with sobbing and tears they 
said, * We are ail sinners, and want you to pray for 
us.' He knelt in their midst, and in simjjle faith 
commended them to God. Four of the dear little 
girls, at least, are rejoicing in the Savior's love, as 
we write." 

Weary in body, but glad in heart, because of 
what God had done, I reached my home; and 
though I had worked hard, preaching usually three 
times a day, meeting inquirers from sunrise until 
midnight, and travelling often by night, I felt that 
I would not exchange the sweet memories of that 
journey for those of the most tempting route of 
pleasure travel. 

Amsterdam, N. Y. — The meeting here began 
Thursday morning, January 17, 1868, and was 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 265 

continued through ^Ye days. Four denominations 
united in the work, and met one day in one church, 
the next day in another, and so on through the 
meeting. 

The Young Men's Christian Association, men- 
tioned in another place, had for some time been 
helping prepare the way for the meeting, and now 
gave to it all their characteristic energy and ear- 
nestness. 

Pray erf ulness, zeal, and brotherly love marked 
this entire season of labor. Frequently prayer was 
continued until the midnight hour. 

The heavenly showers at once began to descend 
on all the place. 

The Master of the vineyard was present to direct 
and bless. 

The attendance soon became too great to be 
accommodated in any one church. Accordingly, 
Christians retired as fast as necessary, and gave 
their places to the impenitent. In this way, on 
Sunday evening, the Presbyterian church was 
densely packed with a congregation quite largely 
made up of those who had no hope ; believers 
had retired to the session-room, where they con- 
tinued in prayer during the sermon ; others had 
gone to private houses. One group remained on 
their knees in prayer, without once rising, from 
seven until nine that evening. And we may believe 



266 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

prayer was heard ; for at that time the Spirit fell in 
great power upon the congregation in the church. 
So deep was the conviction for sin, we were obliged 
to ask Christians to vacate the session-room for the 
anxious, nearly two hundred of whom immediately 
resorted there for prayer and direction. 

On Monday evening the meeting in the Methodist 
church was of much the same character. 

Christians were greatly blessed in their own 
hearts. The remark was made in regard to one 
of the ministers, and one who came to be a faithful 
worker, " You would not know him ; he appears 
altogether different ; even his voice is entirely 
changed, — I actually would not have recognized it, 
had I not seen him when he was speaking." So 
marked is the change when the joy of salvation is 
restored to the Christian ! 

Many sought a closer union with Christ, — a rest 
in him by faith. A little company have since met 
with reference to that object, and very sweet and 
precious, I learn, have been their experiences. 

A letter says of the close of this meeting, 
"... The farewell meeting on Tuesday morning 
was melting. The love and union between the 
ministers, and also the churches, were truly beauti- 
ful. There seemed to be one common interest, — 
no more feeling for their own than for other 
churches." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 267 

The interest had reached such a height, that at 
this closing service nearly two hundred anxious 
souls requested the prayers of Christians. God's 
people met the responsibility, and carried the work 
forward for weeks with great success. 

A letter, written some weeks after my departure, 
says, "... We have had a glorious work in Am- 
sterdam. There must have been two hundred and 
fifty conversions, already, and they are all such 
bright, active converts. Large additions have been 
made to the churches. An unusually large propor- 
tion of the converts are young men. And still the 
work goes on. We all find plenty of work to do 
for Jesus. . . ." 

Such is the outline of some of the four days' 
meetings among the churches. 

And from these my own experiences in such 
meetings, from the success that has everywhere 
attended them, and from the fact that the church, 
years ago, reaped similar blessings from them, I 
am led to the firm conviction that in them we have 
one of the most valuable agencies that can be em- 
ployed, at the present day, in promoting revivals 
of religion. 

They can hardly be objected to on any ground : 
They are practicable ; neighboring churches can 
easily come together for such a work for four days. 



268 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

They bring together the best, most active, and 
earnest element of our churches for deliberation, 
prayer, and labor. They thus lead out of forms 
of service that have become stereotyped and life- 
less, correct mistakes, and give to all the benefits 
of the experience of each. 

They promote harmony and love between Chris- 
tians of different churches and denominations. 

They enlarge our conceptions of the power and 
resources of the church, and thus strengthen our 
faith and courage. 

And, to crown it all, they are generally followed 
by a precious revival of religion. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 269 



CHAPTER XX. 

EEVIVAL GLEANINGS. 

BOSTON, MASS. -- In the spring of 1859 I 
held a meeting in Tremont Temple, and 
preached about eighty times. This was a very 
precious meeting, and wide-spread in its results* 
As the Temple will seat about three thousand 
persons, and the seats are free for all, it is a great 
resort for the multitude. Many came from dif- 
ferent parts of the city and country to this meet- 
ing, found Christ precious, and carried the in- 
fluence far and wide. I learned that between one 
and two hundred converts united with the Temple 
church, and many with other churches, as the fruit 
of this meeting. I held another meeting in the 
same place in 1862. This meeting continued about 
three months. My home during this last meeting 
was in the family of Deacon Timothy Gilbert, the 
founder of the Temple enterprise, who has since 
gone to his reward on high. 

" The memory of the just is blessed." 



270 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

In the spring of 1866 I held a union meeting 
in Boston with the Shawmut Avenue (Baptist), 
Park Street, and Mount Vernon (Congregational) 
churches ; dividing the five weeks of the meeting 
between the three. I need say but little more 
about this meeting than to refer the reader to 
the notice given of it in the fifteenth chapter of 
this volume, by Eev. Dr. Kirk and Eev. Dr. 
Hague. 

I held another meeting of four weeks in Boston, 
in the First Baptist church, January, 1868, Rev. 
Dr. Neale, pastor. This meeting will be cherished 
among the pleasant memories of my life. There is 
a noble class of working members in this renowned 
church of two hundred years' standing. 

The work is still progressing. I give below the 
pastor's account of the meeting, taken from the 
"Watchman and Reflector" of January 23, 1868. 

"Rev. a. B. Earle m Boston. 

" Allow me to say a word in your paper of the 
recent labors of Rev. Mr. Earle in my church. I 
had hoped that by special and continuous meetings, 
the church, pastor, and all, might be quickened 
anew; that the eifort might be blessed to the 
children of the Sabbath school ; that Christians who 
have thought to cherish their piety in secret might 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 271 

be led to make open profession of faith ; and that 
strangers in the city, young men from the country, 
and persons who do not. attend church anywhere, 
might be induced by the excitement of the occasion 
to come into the meetings, and thus be reached by 
the gospel. It is with grateful emotions that I 
am able now to say that these anticipations have 
been more than realized. Many conversions have 
already occurred among the young people of the 
congregation, and the number is multiplying daily. 
The members of the church are awakened to new 
life. There is among them a fervency in prayer, 
a sense of personal responsibility, and an activ- 
ity of individual eflbrt, that I have not seen for 
years, and which are so essential to a church's 
prosperity. 

" Mr. Earle is admirably fitted to this service by 
his long experience and personal character. -He is 
a laborious, praying, and most trustworthy man. 
His preaching is faithful, earnest, direct. He deals 
in no claptrap or offensive personalities. He 
interferes with no pastoral prerogative, but goes to 
his work like a true ambassador of the cross, with 
strong faith and most untiring persistence, and 
watches for souls as one that must give account. 
Eesorting to no arts to secure personal favor, he 
has yet greatly endeared himself to us all. The 
farewell meeting and the parting interview will be 



272 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

long remembered by the church ; attached friends, 
rejoicing converts, and a grateful pastor gathered 
around him. There was a delightful mingling 
of smiles and tears as we took him by the hand 
and sung, — 

' Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love.' 

" The kindest wishes and many prayers will fol- 
low our brother in his future labors." 

New York City, Fifth Avenue. — The meet- 
ing in this church was commenced the last of 
January, 1868. 

Although I had engaged to be with them the 
year before, I was released until after my return 
from the Pacific coast. 

Thfe church is not so central as those " down 
town," along the old and crowded thoroughfares of 
business ; still the ability of its pastor, the character 
of its members, and its position in the midst of the 
wealth and fashion of the city, gave it a wide in- 
fluence, and drew to its services quite a large attend- 
ance. The ordinary congregations were sometimes 
increased to overflowing during the meeting, but 
usually, only enough to comfortably fill the house. 
Among those who came in from other churches 
were many whose familiar faces called to my mind 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 273 

pleasant memories of former meetings in the 
city. 

The pastor had been preparing the way for the 
meeting, and without reserve threw his whole 
heart and strength into it. I trust we were one 
in heart and effort. 

The church slowly but surely rallied to the worl: 
and put on their strength, and went out after the 
unconverted, and led them to Christ. So that a 
precious revival was enjoyed. 

My principal object, however, in this account is 
to give a single incident in this meeting. A Broad- 
way merchant was awakened by the artless words 
of his little son : " Father, are you a Christian ? I 
don't see any seal on your forehead." 

The circumstances were these : During the 
morning service, one Sabbath, a gentleman devoted 
to his business and the pleasures of the world, 
noticed his little boy persistently holding his 
fingers in his ears. Surprised, he asked, " Charlie, 
why do you hold your fingers in your ears?" 
"Why," said he, "Mr. Earle made us all cry, in 
Sunday school, this morning, and I don't want to 
cry here in church, so I am not going to hear what 
he says." By and by, looking around him, and 
noticing that nobody seemed to be crying, he 
ventured gradually to remove his fingers from bis 
ears. Just then 1 was speaking of the '^ sealing " 
18 



274 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

mentioned by John in the seventh of Eevelation, and 
I made a remark something like this : " My brethren, 
would you be willing to have a plain, broad seal 
put upon your forehead, so that, wherever you 
went, every one could see it, and learn that you 
were a Christian? Would it not keep you from 
some places which you now visit?" 

This aroused his attention and curiosity, and, 
turning about, he whispered, " Father, what is a 
Christian ? " 

The unconverted father replied as best he knew 
how. The boy looked searchingly at his father's 
forehead, and asked, "Father, are you a Christian? 
I don't see any seal on your forehead." The father 
afterwards said, that had his boy drawn a pistol on 
him he could not have startled him more suddenly 
and painudly. The question sped straight to his 
heart, as an arrow of conviction ; he knew not 
what to reply. 

He was determined, however, not to yield to his 
feelings, and in the afternoon went out for his 
customary pleasure drive. But the pleasure was 
gone ; he felt no interest in the ride ; his boy's 
sermon was rankling in his heart, — he could not 
get rid of it ; his eyes went straight to the fore- 
head of every one he passed, in search of the 
« seal." 

He resisted the Sj)irit for several days ; but at 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 275 

length yielded so far as to come again to the meet- 
ings. The sermon, that evening, was on " The 
Unpardonable Sin." His convictions grew stronger ; 
Charlie's words sounded louder than ever, — 
"Father, are you a Christian? I don't see any 
seal on your forehead." Fear lest he had com- 
mitted the sin that never can be forgiven, now 
added its terror. He felt that he could not, must 
not delay ; if it were not already too late, it soon 
might be. He seized the offered opportunity, and 
presented himself as a subject of prayer ; with his 
whole heart he sought pardon. Soon he was re- 
joicing in hope, and, not long after, he was baptized, 
and received into the church. 

And, before I left, little Charlie came to me, say- 
ing, "Mr. Earle, I wish you would put my name in 
your little book ; for I think I love the Savior now. 
I don't want to stop my ears any more when 
you speak." 

People from other churches and other cities 
shared in the blessings of this work. Thus, I am 
told, a precious revival was commenced in Patter- 
son, N. J. Many families and churches in differ- 
ent parts of the city were blessed in the same way. 

Such seems to be the divine plan in regard to 
revivals ; by some providence, people from other 
localities are drawn into them, and thus the work is 
extended. 



276 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

Tabernacle Church. — Here I found a noble 
company of working members. The Spirit had 
preceded me — all was ready, and a blessed work 
followed. This church is located on the crowded 
thoroughfare ; the throng came, and many found 
Christ precious, and carried the influence of the 
meeting in every direction. Although a large 
amount of wealth is found in this church, and an 
able pastor, I have seldom found a more humble, 
working body of members. 

Many of the converts united with tliis church, 
and large numbers with other churches in the city 
and vicinity. A further account of this and the 
Fifth Avenue meeting is given by their pastors, in 
another chapter. 

Philadelphia, Penn. — I left New York, and 
commenced meeting here, in April, 1868, with the 
First and Tabernacle Baptist churches, alternating 
between the two. 

With the strong hold both pastors have on their 
people, and the large number of regular attendants 
in each congregation, our audiences were very 
large, sometimes numbering two thousand. The 
Spirit had prepared the way, so that the city of 
William Penn seemed all ripe and ready for the 
sickle. Many were gathered into the fold of 
Christ; but I have no space for particulars, and 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 211 

can only say, after a short, but precious meeting 
of three weeks, I left for Syracuse, thankful for 
the acquaintance formed and the blessings received. 

Lawrence, Mass. — In 1859 I assisted the pas- 
tor, Rev. F. Remington, in a meeting of four weeks 
in this city. More than fifty converts were received 
into the church the last Sabbath of the meeting, and 
many others gave themselves to Christ in that 
precious revival, among them some who were 
shortly afterwards killed by the falling of the 
" Lawrence Mills." 

Dover and Great Falls, N. H., and South 
Berwick, Me. — This was my first series of meet- 
ings in the fall of 1864. Twelve churches united 
in this work of four weeks. A part of the time I 
preached in Dover in the morning, South Berwick 
in the afternoon, and Great Falls in the evening, 
and so on day by day. I can only say here, I 
expect to praise God forever with many happy 
souls brought to Christ during this glorious union 
meeting. 

Concord, N. H. — This meeting was held in 
1864. All the evangelical churches united. Meet- 
ings were held two days in one church, then two in 
the next, and in this way with each one. A very 



278 BRINGING IN SHEAVES 

precious revival was enjoyed, the sweet fragrance 
of which will spread throughout eternity. 

BiDDEFOUD AND Saco, Me. — Nine churches united 
in this meetius: in 1864. 

Meetings were held in two large halls, one in 
Biddeford, the other in Saco, alternately, a day at a 
time in each. The power, and preciousness, and 
wide-spread results of this meeting will only be 
seen when w^e reach the "better country." Our 
dear brother Packard laid down his life at the 
commencement of this work. 

Brooexyn, N. Y. — This meeting was held in 
1866. As Strong Place and the Tabernacle 
churches called this meeting, the largest share of 
the services were held with them, but mornings, 
and several times during the whole day, in other 
churches of different denominations. In this way 
we held meetings in twelve different churches. 
The meeting continued forty days. The season was 
glorious. The pastors and members of these 
churches will ever hold a warm place in my heart 
for their earnest and hearty cooperation in these 
services, and their great liberality to me. May 
our dear Savior bless and keep them all. 

The volume in heaven contains a full account of 
all these meetings. May the final review be 
pleasant to us all. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 279 

Syracuse, N. Y. — I coirimenced meeting here 
in May, 1868. This meeting also was with the 
two Baptist churches. 

Their pastors are young, but men given up to 
God, and of fine talents. I do not know how 
many have united with the churches, but hear the 
work continues. I thank God for my visit to 
Syracuse. 

It was now June, and having preached more than 
four hundred times since October last, without rest, 
I bade the churches good by, and hastened to my 
home in Newton, Mass., to rest for a season, and 
complete this volume. 



280 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 

THE recent remarkable work of grace in the 
Pacific States having been watched with un- 
common interest in the other portions of our 
country, because of the peculiar relation of- their 
people to us, they having gone out from among 
us, leaving here their youthful homes, their friends, 
and often their ftimilies ; and, as a natural conse- 
quence, a very general desire having been expressed 
that I would give fuller information concerning it, 
I have consented to do so in this form ; yet I 
shrink from the attempt, since the canvas herein 
afforded is too narrow for anything but a bird's-eye 
glance — the merest outline. What a marvellous 
history of incident and experience belongs to any 
revival ! How then hope, in these few pages, to 
describe this work, embracing as it does so many 
revivals, and interest and influence so ivide! 

And this shrinking is increased by the fact of my 
ignorance of much of the work, since, in the differ- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 281 

ent places I visited, it continued after my depar- 
ture ; and, besides, many a lamp was lighted in 
those places and then borne away to distant and 
neighboring towns, where other revivals were 
kindled by it. In all these movements the circles 
swept beyond my vision, and their results and 
character are, to a great extent, unknown to me. 
Still, perhaps, I may be able, in some measure, to 
meet the desire on both sides of our continent, and 
also realize the hope I cherish of hereby increasing 
faith in Christian la])or, and above all of honoring 
the Divine Leader of this work. 

When and where this work really began, we can- 
not fully know ; its sources are far and wide, like 
the springs that feed our wide-sweeping rivers. 
Could we trace this river of salvation back through 
its first silent, secret streams, to its sources, we 
should be led to man}' a mountain side, quiet 
valle}^ busy town, secluded cottage, and there 
find them in pastors' studies, mothers' closets, and 
consecrated sanctuaries, where burdened Jacobs 
wrestle in unyielding prayer. God knows all these 
places ; the work is all traced out by his eye, and 
in due time he will openly reward those who toiled 
in secret. 

But, to human eye, the most obvious starting- 
point is in the summer of 1866, with the San Fran- 
cisco Ministerial Union, — a body of ministers then 



282 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

• 

recently organized, and representing most of the 
evangelical churches of that city and vicinity. Here 
seemed to be the culmination of whatever forces 
had hitherto been in operation — the gathering of 
the waters, and the first bursting forth of the 
stream that was to grow deep and strong more 
rapidly than the one Ezekiel saw flowing from be- 
neath the temple. This may best be seen in the 
following letter : — 

<' San Francisco, Cal., July 5, 1866. 

"Rev. a. B. Earle. 

" Dear Brother : At a meeting of the San Fran- 
cisco Ministerial Union, this week, it was voted 
unanimously to invite you to visit this city to hold 
a protracted meeting under the auspices of the 
Union. 

" This Ministerial Union embraces the ministers 
in this city and vicinity of most of the evangelical 
churches. 

" The circumstances that have led to this invita- 
tion are as follows : Two months ago the subject 
proposed for the consideration of the Union was, 
^Our duty, as gospel ministers, to the masses of 
the city who are unreached by the gospel.' 

"This subject was earnestly considered, and, in 
view of its importance, postponed one mouth; 
again thoroughly discussed, and then referred to 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 283 

this committee, to report to the Union some definite 
plan of action. 

"This week a report was submitted to the Union, 
embracing the following recommendations : That a 
daily union noon-day prayer meeting be at once 
established ; that all the churches represented in 
the Union be recommended to establish additional 
neighborhood prayer meetings ; that the ministers 
in those churches give special prominence, in their 
pulpit ministrations, to such subjects as seem best 
adapted to prepare the way of the Lord ; and that 
Rev. A. B. Earle be invited to hold a protracted 
meeting as mentioned above. 

" After a very full and fraternal conference, these 
recommendations were severally adopted. . . . 

" Should you respond to our call, you may expect 
the cordial cooperation of pastors and people, — 
though the percentage of evangelical Christians is 
lamentably small. 

"No evangelist has ever labored here. While 
revival seasons have been enjoyed to a greater or 
less extent in all our churches, there has never 
been any general religious movement such as has 
been experienced in so many cities of the East. . . . 

" We pray that the Lord will guide you. 
"D. B. Cheney, 
E. C. BissELL, V Committee^' 
O. C. Wheeler, 



284 , BRINGING IN SHEA YES. 

Such were the first apparent steps of this work ; 
small and insignificant they may seem, yet the 
religious movement that has grown out of them 
ranks, for universality of interest and power, 
among the " great awakenings " of these latter 
times. 

These recommendations were immediately put 
in operation ; extra meetings were commenced ; 
special efib rt made by many pastors and churches ; 
and the call forwarded to me. 

At once it was a disturbing element in my path, 
a new force introduced, and one that very soon 
was felt to be drawing me towards a new and 
unexpected region. Till then my work seemed 
plainly to lie among ,the Atlantic States ; calls 
numberless were before me ; engagements already 
made. Why, then, go away? Why leave a broad 
and promising home field for one so far away? 
Could duty lie in that direction? For a time it 
seemed not ; but something began to change con- 
victions ; friends, too, began to say, " God is in it ; " 
Dr. Kirk, Dr. Bright, Dr. Backus, and others who 
are wont to watch the leadings of Providence from 
a high stand-point, said, "Go." At length, on my 
knees, in my study, in prayer, with my wife, the 
answer came — light from the golden gates of the 
New Jerusalem fell upon the path over the seas 
into the "golden gate" of the Pacific, — my way 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 285 

was clear, and without hesitation I telegraphed, " I 
will come. Will sail September 11." 

Grateful I shall ever be that my wife accompanied 
me ; for whatever success attended my labors was 
due, in no small measure, to her cheerful presence, 
her faith ever bright and strong, her clear and com- 
prehensive views of truth, and her serene and close 
communion with God. 

Farewell services were held in Strong Place 
church, Brooklyn, N. Y., on the evening previous 
to our departure. Tender words of sympathy and 
love were spoken by assembled friends and fol- 
lowers of the Redeemer. 

Dr. Armitage, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist 
church, was there to say, " Early last spring we 
made an engagement with brother Earle to help us ; 
that engagement is temporarily broken ; to-night I 
bid him God-speed, willingly surrendering my 
claim for the present. 

" Our brother has asked us to pray for him. 
Let us ask him to pray for us. His prayer ascend- 
ing from the Pacific, ours from the Atlantic, shall 
meet and form the bow of faith which shall span 
the continent." 

Dr. Taylor, pastor of one of the Congregational 
churches in Brooklyn, said many things in his own 
kind, eloquent way, — among them, " I was reared to 
feel a prejudice against evangelists. I remember 



286 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

coming to brother Earle hesitatingly, doubtingly, 
when I asked him to preach to my people. As 
far as brother Earle is concerned, I have no 
questions to ask, for God has answered them 
all." 

Such was the character of expressions that fell 
from many lips that evening. 

My own words of farewell came from the depths 
of a heart, sorrowful at parting, yet hushed into 
peace, that I was going sustained by such benedic- 
tions. 

A report, in one of the New York papers, says 
of the close of this service, "Brother Earle led in 
a closing prayer, and with a hymn of parting the 
assembly was dismissed. Not to the doors, but to 
the pulpit, the people crowded. 

" We stood near the man who wins souls to 
Christ, and heard the expressions of love and 
anxiety which each uttered. 

"Young converts said to their friend, *Pray for 
us,' while the older pilgrims said to him, ' We shall 
pray for you.' How many times 'God bless you' 
was uttered ! " 

The importance which Christians in the Atlantic 
States attached to this work, and the prayerful in- 
terest with which they followed my own connection 
with it, are so well expressed in an article in the 
"New York Examiner and Chronicle," I cannot do 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 287 

better than give some extracts : " At the formation 
of the Baptist Missionary Society, in England, Mr. 
Fuller said, 'There is a gold mine in India, but it 
seems almost as deep as the centre of the earth. 
Who will explore it?' * I will go down,' said Mr. 
Gary, 'but remember that you must hold the 
ropes.' 

" There is gold in California, mines more pre- 
cious than any that have yet been worked, — mines 
deep and inexhaustible, that have been sadly neg- 
lected in the search for less precious treasure. 

"The question has been asked, anxiously and re- 
peatedly, Who will ventui:e to explore them? 

"At last. Rev. Mr. Earle, an honored evangelist, 
in answer to an invitation from Christians of various 
denominations, says, 'I will go.' And in leaving, 
he has turned to his brethren of the east, and said, 
'Remember that you must hold the ropes.' 

"Few, we think, present at the farewell meet- 
ing on the eve of Mr. Earle's departure, were not 
deeply impressed with the faith of this good man. 
It was simple and child-like, but so strong as to be 
truly sublime. 

" He confidently expects great things ; but, like 
Paul, his expectation rests, in a great measure, on 
the prayers of his brethren. 

"He goes down to explore the mine, but he ex- 
pects us to hold the ropes ; and it cannot be denied 



288 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

that Christians in the Atlantic States owe vast 
responsibilities to the Pacific Coast. We have not 
sent the gospel to California as promptly and as 
liberally as she has sent gold to lis : the balance of 
account is sadly against us. Now is the time to 
settle this long-standing account. Let us meet our 
obligations ; let us follow this eastern evangelist 
on his mission with our prayers ; let us antici- 
pate his arrival with telegraphic messages, by the 
way of the mercy-seat, heaven, and the throne of 
God. ... 

"Let ever}^ church, then, to which the cause of 
the Redeemer generally is dear, and every Christian 
who has a husband, brother, sou, or friend on that 
coast, not fail to send up their prayers to God for a 
blessing upon brother Earle, that he may, in- 
deed, be an evangelist of Christ to the people of 
California. ... 

"Remember, brethren, we hold the ropes." 
When, on the day following this farewell service, 
the steamer lifted her moorings from the Atlantic 
Coast, — the home of my youth and manhood, and 
the scene of my labors hitherto, — and bore me 
away towards the distant Pacitic shores, my heart 
was comforted by the thought of those prayers that 
were sure to follow me ; and during all my absence 
the blessings from morning and evening sacrifices, 
in which my name was remembered, in homes from 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 289 

St. John to Washington, fell upon me as the 
benediction of heaven. 

My welcome at Sau Francisco was warm and 
hearty, making me sure the promise of cooperation 
would be carried out to the fullest extent. 

The harvest had already commenced ; the special 
means proposed by the Union had been followed by 
the blessing of God ; many souls were rejoicing in 
hope, others were inquiring, and I doubt not the 
worii would have gone on had the vessel in which I 
traversed the sea gone down to the bottom with all 
its human freight. 

Immediately on my arrival, one common union 
meetinof was established as the workino^-o^round and 
rallying-point for the various denominations and 
churches connected with the Ministerial Union. For* 
this purpose the Union had secured Piatt's Hall as 
the reguhir phice of meeting, and the occasional use 
of Union Hall, because these were much larger 
than any of the churches ; and the expense of 
hiring these halls — some fifteen hundred dollars 
— gives an idea of the heartiness with which the 
people entered into the work. The same spirit was 
manifest in all they did ; in the crowded attend- 
ance, in their thoughtfuhiess as "hearers," and 
IDromptness as "doers of the word." Very soon 
deep, quiet feeling was manifest over the entire 
city. Men were awakened to the soleipn issues of 
19 



290 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

life as never before ; the "unseen" seemed to sweep 
over and sink out of sight the " seen ;" people felt 
. they were living for eternity. 

Some idea of the extent of the work, even at the 
end of the first two weeks, may be obtained from 
the following extracts from an article iii one of the 
daily papers, "The Alta : " "A religious revival, 
such as has never before been experienced on this 
coast, is now in progress in this city. , . . 

" Mr. Earle arrived in this city a little over two 
wrecks ago. . . . He commenced his services on Snn- 
day, October seventh, in Dr. A. L. Stone's church. 
On Monday, the eighth, he preached in Dr. Scud- 
der's church. On Tuesday, in Dr. Cheney's ; 
and most of the time since has been preaching in 
♦Piatt's Hall, twice each day ; on Sunday, at Union 
Hall. . . . 

" The congregation which assembled, on Sunday 
evening last, at Union Hall, was the largest ever 
collected under one roof on this coast ; every avail- 
able space for standing room was occupied ; there 
could not have been less than three thousand 
auditors present, and there were at least one thou- 
sand who could not get into the hall, and were 
obliged to leave without hearing Mr. Earle. 

" But the number attending these services is the 
least remarkable thing about them. The interest 
pervading the assemblage, amounting even to 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 291 

solemnity of devotion, is extraordinary, and the 
quiet, order, and reverence displayed is aston- 
ishing. . . . 

" Without any attempt at the graces of the pulpit, 
the eifect produced by his preaching is beyond com- 
parison the greatest that has come within our ex- 
perience. . . . To listen to him once attracts your 
attention ; the second time increases it ; the third 
time deepens it to interest ; and further attendance 
renders it absorbing. ... 

" The feeling which has been aroused by his 
preaching and services is deepening, and extend- 
ing, and widening every day. The members of the 
various churches appear to be deeply exercised ; 
and many of those who are not members, who 
have attended these services, have come under deep 
conviction ; and some, of a class and position 
which would popularly be supposed the last to 
come under such inliiiences, have yielded to the 
influences surrounding them, and are seeking for- 
giveness of their sins. 

"Yet there is no excitement, nor endeavor to 
create excitement, but calm expositions of the 
gospel and .appeals to the judgment. 

" There are in this city now a number of min- 
isters from the interior, who have been daily attend- 
ants on Mr. Earle's ministrations, and their unan- 
imous verdict is : ' His heart is in this work ; he is 



292 BRINGINO IN SHEA VES. 

truly a servant of God, filled with his love, and 
wholly given to his service ; and if we will go to 
our flocks, lay our hands on God's altar and submit 
our wills to him, and preach the love of God as dis- 
phiyed in the gospel, with the simplicity, and plain- 
ness, and fervor of Mr. Earle, such a blessing will 
come down from heaven that there shall not be 
room enough to contain it.' ..." 

Thus were the operations of the Holy Spirit in 
the hearts of men, all over the city, manifesting 
themselves. It was not the work of man. While 
I gratefully appreciate the kindness and esteem ex- 
pressed towards myself in this and other similar 
articles in the different papers, the glory of the 
work is God's. I was only one out of many used 
by him in bestowing his blessing. 

Christians, either under the leadership of the 
earnest pastors, or singly and alone, went every- 
where about the city working for Christ ; their 
ranks, too, rapidly filled up; every convert, every 
returned wanderer, was at once an addition, — a 
new centre from which good was radiating into sur- 
rounding masses. The first impulse of the young 
convert is to try and do something for his Savior, 
and this, if led into wise channels and encouraged 
by older disciples, becomes a great source of ad- 
ditional power in any revival. The love of Christ 
in the heart is ever a controlling power in the life, — 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 293 

the great wheel at the foundation, that turns the 
endless and diverse machinery of the outward life. 

The name of Christ was above every other : to 
the sinner it told of a full atonement, a safe hiding 
place, while all the sweetest and dearest associa- 
tions gathered about it anew to those who had fled 
to him for refuge. It was above every denomina- 
tional name, — Congregationalist, Presbyterian, 
Methodist, or Baptist ; this was the watchword 
that opened the door of every Christian heart to 
all other belicYers ; all were marshalled under this 
one banner. 

This was true of all the meetings in which I was 
engaged on the coast; everywhere it was a com- 
mon, united effort for Christ. 

I continued my labors here five weeks, preach- 
ing twice each day ; on Sunday, three times. 

The Spirit reached, with his convicting, convert- 
ing power, people of every age and condition, in 
every part of the city ; converts multiplied by 
hundreds. 

Saturday afternoons I usually met the children 
from the schools in some place where all could 
come together. Sweet is the memory of those 
seasons ; and I think I shall never see anything so 
beautiful as to make me forget the sea of bright, 
youthful faces, there upturned towards mine, eager 
to catch the words that told them about Jesus ; or 



294 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

those occasions when several hundred of them came 
forward and knelt together at Jesus' feet, asking 
him to bless- them, as he did children when he was 
upon the earth. 

At the end of the time mentioned I left the 
work at San Francisco in the hands of the pastors 
and people, and turned towards other fields. 

My time for returning to the east was given up ; 
the reaping-time on the Pacific Coast had come. 
Calls, urgent and beseeching, were daily coming 
from every part of the coast, and I dare not leave. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 295 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

SONORA AND Columbia, Cal. — These cities, 
only a few miles apart, quiet, and not large, 
situated in the interior of the state, in the midst of 
an extensive mining region, were my next field of 
labor. 

Meetings were commenced and carried on in 
both places at the same time. I preached, general- 
ly, in one city in the afternoon, and in the evening 
in the other, many of the people also going back 
and forth to each service. 

There was no other way to meet the demand in 
both places. 

If, as we sometimes hear, mining communities 
are more careless about the things of religion than 
other people, I did not discover it, either here or 
elsewhere. The interest in the meetings was gen- 
eral and hearty, and the truth as instrumental in 
conversion of sinners as in other places. And, in- 
deed, I have never found any great distinction in 
this respect among different classes or individuals. 



296 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

To every heart there is an avenue for the truth ; 
and if we only have the clear eye and loving heart 
to discover the porter at the gate, an entrance is 
nearly as free and easy, and the road about as short 
and direct, in one case as another. 

Out of the sinking mire and thick darkness of 
our fallen, unrenewed state, we are ever stretching 
a helpless hand up towards the light ; and that hand 
the earnest, loving Christian may grasp, and there- 
by,' under God, save the soul from death. 

The work daily grew in power, giving continually 
new and striking proof that " the gospel of Christ is 
the power of God unto salvation, to every one that 
believeth." 

At an evening meeting in Columbia there were 
present four praying wives, sitting by the side of 
their unconverted husbands. The Spirit was mov- 
ing upon the whole congregation. Before long 
those wives rose and requested prayer for their 
husbands. This melted the hearts of those strong 
men, and, before the meeting closed, their burden 
of sin had become so heavy they were on their 
knees, with their wives, in agonizing prayer. 

The scene moved many to tears. Christians 
silently joined in the petition. 

God heard and forgave, and they went home 
rejoicing in hope ; and four happier households are 
rarely found. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 297 

On one occasion, at Sonora, after I had been 
talking to the Sunday school children, all of them, 
with the exception of one little lad, came forward, 
in response to a request that all who loved, or 
desired to love Jesus, would take the front seats. 

That little boy afterwards came to me, with tears 
on his face, and asked me to pray that Jesus would 
forgive and save him ; and it was not long before 
he, too, was numbered among the rejoicing ones. 

The interest was now becoming very deep ; the 
number of converts rapidly increasing, when, at 
the end of eight days, I was compelled to say 
good by to the much-loved people of Sonora and 
Columbia. 

Oakland, Cal. — Across the bay from San Fran- 
cisco, at this attractive town, — the educational 
centre of that region, and the home of many of the 
business and professional men of San Francisco, — I 
spent the next ten days in a delightful season of 
labor with the different denominations. 

The windows of heaven were opened wide ; the 
revival spread not onl}^ among the permanent in- 
habitants of the town, but also through the schools 
and seminaries, bringing many of the scholars to 
the feet of the Great Teacher, where they learned 
the alphabet of all true knowledge — " the fear of 
the Lord," which "is the beginning of wisdom." 



298 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

In one school thirty boys believed they had met 
with this change of heart ; and testimony to like 
happy experiences came from various other schools. 
This added a very important result to the work, in 
extending its influence into other places — often 
quite distant — where these converted scholars re- 
sided. A single instance will be given in another 
chapter. 

The churches of Oakland, and many of its pleas- 
ant homes, will long be remembered for varied and 
marvellous displays of God's sovereignty in the 
conversion of sinners. 

Many persons were lifted to the heights of joy 
and peace, after long days of wandering in the 
depths of despair; others, who had, at the time, no 
particular anxiety of mind, heard the invitation, 
"Come unto me, and 1 will give yon rest," believed 
it was meant for them, and, without waiting for 
more feeling, came at once, and found Jesus. One 
found pardon while surrounded by a group of pray- 
ing friends, another alone in his room ; one in his 
store, another in the inquiry meeting ; one on the 
street, another while listening to a sermon ; and 
so through the whole long list of new experiences 
there were touched almost hourly these and other 
widely differing chords, all, however, vibrating in 
harmony with one single key-note — Salvation 
through the blood of Jesus. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 299 

After tea days I departed, leaving the people 
grateful for the past, and strong in heart for the 
future. 

Stockton, Cal. — Winding along between the 
banks of the San Joaquin River to Stockton, a 
county-seat and charming city in the midst of a lux- 
uriant farming region, I there saw, during a stay of 
twelve days, one of the most powerful revivals I 
have ever passed through in so short a time. 

The whole city deemed shaken by the mighty 
power of the Spirit. Men were stricken down 
under conviction for sin, in the very streets and 
places of business. The bitterest enemies of Christ 
were ready to renounce anything and everything 
for the most humble phice among his children. 

The meetings became the common theme of con- 
versation, and the common place of resort. 

Such was the unity and love among Christians 
of every name, the impenitent were overcome by 
the very sight, and constrained to seek admission 
into such a family. Love made religion oMractive. 

A prominent physician, who had long been an 
infidel, and had led many young men into the 
bewildering mazes of that soul-destroying error, 
said, w^hen he saw the love between the different 
denominations, "I cannot stand this ; I must believe 
and share in such a religion." 



300 ' BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

Before long he rose in a crowded meeting, asked 
permission to speak, and then call hig the attention 
of the 3^oung men in whose minds he had sown the 
seeds of infidelity, said he wanted to take back 
every word he had ever uttered in support of in- 
fidelity, and to acknowledge the truth of the Bible 
and Christianity, and urge all to seek an interest in 
the atonement of Christ. Not onl}^ believers, but 
his companions in infidelity, were much aflfected by 
the appeal. 

He soon found hope in Christ, and has since been 
an active Christian laborer, doing what he can to 
undo his former infidel teachings. 

The little ones from the Sunday schools and the 
public schools looked up in my face, with sweet 
confidence, and said, " We don't want you to go 
away, for since you came we have learned to love 
Jesus." The poor and the aged grasped my hand, 
saying, " Thank you for coming; through 3^ou we 
have found Jesus and happiness ; life no longer 
seems dreary." 

People surrounded with an abundance of the 
good things of this life said, " We never knew 
how to enjoy our mercies until these meetings were 
held ; now we love the Giver, and enjoy them as 
coming from his hand ; his service sweetens them 
all, and gives a charm to life, unknown till now." 

Blessed work ! — to bring men, through Christ, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 301 

into communication with the heart of our Father, 
yearning with unutterable love over our fallen race ! 
Thus richly did the blessings of salvation fall 
upon Stockton, bringing pardon to the condemned 
sinner, hope to the wandering, peace to the sorrow- 
ing, light to those in darkness, purer faith and love 
to the older disciples, and better purposes into all 
the channels of business and social life, making the 
city glad with the presence, and vocal with the 
praises of Jesus. 

Saceamento, Cal. — From thence I went on, by 
a stage route of half a hundred miles, over muddy 
roads, and under rainy skies, to Sacramento, the 
capital of the state. 

The " rainy season," which had also prevailed 
during the meeting at Stockton, w^as now at its 
height ; and an imperious, though fitful sway it 
was, that the storm-king was holding : now giving 
way for a while to the sunshine, and now again 
gathering his dark battalions in greater strength, 
and rushing back to the contest suddenly and 
angrily, deluging town and country, sometimes 
marking his path with the debris of ruined roads, 
crops, fences, and even dwellings, and always — 
until he again left the field — making men shun his 
presence, and seek a covert from his missiles. 

Surely not a promising time, from the stand- 



302 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

point of mere reason, to labor for a revival, espe- 
cially in the midst of the very worldly influences 
connected with a seat of government. But faith 
looks upon the clouds only as the chariot of her 
God, who, in carrying out his purposes, 

" Plants his footsteps on the sea, 
And rides upon the storm ; " 

and rests as calmly on his promises, in rain and 
cloud, as in sunshine ; in summer's heat as in 
winter's cold. 

In the exercise of this faith, work was com- 
menced. It was not, indeed, a light task: labor, 
bard and unyielding, was demanded. Far into the 
night God's faithful childien wrestled in prayer ; 
but the promises were found sure ; the blessing 
came. The spiritual rain was more abundant and 
more powerful than the natural. Men could escape 
the latter under their roofs, but the former reached 
them even there, and sweeping from them their 
confidence in all earthly foundations, constrained 
them to flee for safety to the " Rock of Ages," and 
to hide themselves under the covert of the Al- 
mighty. 

An unconverted lawyer, writing for one of the daily 
papers, — "The Bee," — says, "It was supposed 
Rev. Mr. Earle w ould close, Tuesday evening, but so 
great and universal is the interest awakened in our 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 303 

community by the unexampled success resulting 
from the joint efforts of himself and the several 
energetic ministers cooperating with him, he has 
finally yielded to the united solicitation of the 
pastors and people to postpone his appointment 
for Petaluma, and stay until next week. 

"Never before, I think, in this city, have there 
been so large meetings, and manifestations of such 
deep and earnest feeling on religious subjects. . . . 

"It is curious to hear the various views expressed 
by diflerent persons regarding Mr. Earle. 

"One class says, 'He is not an eloquent man ; ' 
another, 'He is the embodiment of eloquence it- 
self.' One says, ' He is not logical at all ; ' another, 
' He is the most logical and convincing man I ever 
heard.' . . . 

" In one conclusion nearly all seem to agree : his 
perfect sincerity in the truth of his utterances, and 
the possession of wonderful power. This is evi- 
denced by the attendance of representatives of 
nearly all the mechanical, laboring, and profes- 
sional classes, who, yielding homage at the shrine 
of intellect and goodness, listen with extreme 
delight, and many of whom have embraced his 
faith. . . . 

« That he is doing a vast amount of good none 
will deny. ..." 

Throughout the city there w^as great ]oj : few 



304 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

went empty from the great feast which divine Love 
had spread. 

One of the pastors spoke for many hearts, Avhen 
he wrote me, after this meeting, "I live in a new 
world. The sun shines all the time. I have night- 
less da}^ in my soul. I now rest in Jesus." 

Thus while dark clouds overhang the earth, may 
the believer dwell in the Sunshine, whose light will 
be undimmed when sun, moon, and stars are no 
more. 

Twenty days passed, and I took my leave of the 
kind people of this busy, prosperous city, rejoicing 
over scores and hundreds of new-born souls, and 
the peace bestowed on Christians ; and all this dur- 
ing the mud and storm of the California "rainy 
season." 

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 
The clouds ye so much dread 
Are big with mercy, and shall break 
In blessings on your head." 

Petaluma. — This genial city, attractively situ- 
ated near the bay, seemed, like the rest of the coast, 
ready for the work of the Lord ; and the opening 
of the meeting there moved the machinery of the 
social and individual life of the whole city, as 
" raising the gate " of one of our mills sets the 
countless looms and hands at work, and fills every 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 305 

room and story within, and the place around, with 
the sound of busy activity. Attendance upon, and 
interest in the meetings, were almost universal. A 
single incident shows this fact. The hall, in which, 
because of its superior size, the meetings were held, 
had been engaged by a theatrical company. When 
the evening for the performance came, we went — 
with no word of fault-finding — to one of the 
churches. Only eight persons attended the theatre ; 
the performance, was given up ; and two of the 
actors came into the meeting, and there believed 
they found hope in Christ. 

Events and expressions, apparently of slight im- 
portance, were sufficient, under the great pressure 
of the Spirit's presence, to lead men to seek an in- 
terest in Christ. 

The judge of one of the judicial courts — a 
thorough man of the world — was converted through 
the instrumentality of his little son, who, in the 
meeting at Oakland, while at school there, had 
found the Savior. Vacation brought him home, 
his heart full of love to Jesus ; and at once he 
was at w^ork for his father's conversion. 

Returning from meeting one evening, he asked 
his father to pray. "I will kneel and you may 
pray," said he, unable to resist his only child. 
" No, father ; I want you to pray," was the reply. 
At length the worldly man kneeled down by the side 
20 



306 BRINGING m SHEA YES. 

of the young pleader, and, as he told us, " offered 
some sort of a prayer." In a few days, after a 
severe conflict, he fully gave up his will to Christ, 
and found peace in believing. 

He has since been an earnest Christian ; some- 
times presiding at the sessions of the court during 
the day, and in the evening preaching in one of the 
churches, with his brethren of the bar in front of 
him among his hearers. 

Those thirteen days at Petaluma were full of 
rejoicing ; the blessings of salvation were bestowed 
in free and rich abundance ; the peace of heaven 
fell upon the hearts of God's people, and its glory 
upon their faces. 

The judge, of whose conversion I have spoken, 
has written me : "... Everything goes on finely in 
this city ; no jingling of consequences between the 
different denominations, as to unfair means in pro- 
curing additions to their churches ; all get a fair 
share, and all seem satisfied. 

"O, such a change in this place ! If you could 
see it as it appears to me and to others, I know 
you would not regret your labor of love among us." 

San Jose, Cal. — From Petaluma, a route wind- 
ing along steamboat and railroad lines, by way of 
San Francisco, — the connecting link between many 
of the inland cities and towns, — brought me to San 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 307 

Josd, a most delightful city, the seat of the county 
government, and situated in a rich farming region, 
charming with woodland, plain, and hill. 

I well remember, as we drew near the city, ask- 
ing a fellow-passenger, with whom I w^as conversing 
about the city and the anticipated meetings, the 
size of the churches. " O," said he, "you will find 
the smallest church in San Jose plenty large enough 
for all who will care to attend." Such was the 
judgment he had drawn from what he had seen in 
years past. Perhaps he could not say, " the lines 
have fallen unto me in pleasant places." Be that 
as it may, the meetings were hardly under way be- 
fore no church could accommodate the throngs. 

Nearly every person in the city was in some 
way moved by the meetings ; some, indeed, only to 
derision, others to curiosity; but the greater part 
to thoughtful, growing interest. 

Men could refuse to yield to the strivings of the 
Spirit ; but whatever their calling or condition they 
could not bar them from their hearts. 

One of the hotel keej)ers — a man I could but 
esteem for many generous and honorable traits of 
character — was fully convinced of his lost condi- 
tion and his need of Christ ; frankly admitted it all ; 
"but," said he, "I cannot sell rum and be a Christian ; 
and as I shall be unable to carry on my hotel if I 
give up rum-selling, and so, perhaps, be unable to 



308 * BRINGING IN SHEA VES, 

support my family, I must give up becoming a 
Christian." O, how my heart ached for him, lest 
because of that decision I should, at the judgment, 
see him going away " on the left hand " — forever 
lost ! 

Another man in the same business was brought 
to the same test, but, with a courage worthy the 
imitation of any among believers or impenitent who 
are engaged in callings that stand in the way of the 
welfare of their souls, he met it unflinchingly. 
One Saturday evening he went home from the 
meeting determined to make the sacrifice of any- 
thing that risked the salvation of his soul, and 
before midnight had removed his bar and destroyed 
his stock of liquors ! In a few days he was rejoi- 
cing in hope, and not long after connected with one 
of the churches. 

Here, also, occurred one of those peculiarly in- 
teresting incidents I was often permitted to meet 
with during my stay on the coast — the conversion 
of people once known to me at the east, or of those 
whose friends had given me special entreaty to try 
and lead them to Christ : 

A husband and wife, and wife's brother, all of 
whom had been, long years before, residents of the 
same village as myself, and had there been un- 
reached by all their religious privileges, were now 
living in this city ; and here, so far from our old 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 309 

home, we again met, and they, through the preach- 
ing of their former fellow-townsman, in this distant 
city, were at length reached by the sovereign power 
of God, and led to Jesus. Well may the poet 
sing, — 

" God moves in a mysterious way, 
His wonders to perform." 

God's sovereignty was also remarkably displayed 
in the conversion of a leader among pleasure- 
seekers : 

This man, for some reason, rose in the meeting 
and asked prayers for four persons, purely in de- 
rision. 

He sat down ; but the sport was gone ; deep 
conviction of sin seized him ; and now, in honest 
agony of soul, he cried for mercy for himself. His 
companions, too, who had thought to share in the 
pleasure, shared, instead, the burden of conviction. 
At length he, with some of them, found "the Way," 
and obtained pardon and peace. 

In a general revival, like this, the Spirit moves 
upon more hearts than we are wont to think, and 
were people honest to the impressions thus pro- 
duced, few would pass through such a season uncon- 
verted. Perhaps the following incident will help 
bring out this truth, so alarming to those who 
have gone through revivals and are still impeni- 



310 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

tent, and so encouraging to Christian faith and 
effort : 

A prominent teacher, an unbeliever in the divini- 
ty of Christ and in portions of the Bible, came to 
m}^ room, at the request of his friends, with no 
apparent concern for himself. 

Courteously, but firmly, he spoke of his views. 
"We did not argue much : but before leaving he 
promised he would not knowingly grieve the Spirit, 
by disobeying his voice. He felt safe in making 
such a promise, as he was not aware of being the 
subject of the Spirit's operations ; but in the course 
of three days he rose in the meeting, and acknowl- 
edged that the Spirit was striving with him, and had 
shown him he was a sinner, and might find pardon 
through an almighty Savior, and, therefore, his 
promise, as well as his burdened heart, constrained 
him to ask for prayer. 

A few days more and he again spoke in the 
public assembly, but no longer in doubt of the 
divinity of Christ ; all was peace, as, with a heart 
overflowing with love to his Savior, he told how he 
had found him, and been pardoned through his blood. 

Since returning east 1 have had the pleasure of 
receiving an official letter informing me of my 
election as an honorary member of a Young Men's 
Christian Association in San Jos^ — an organiza- 
tion not in existence there at the time of the meet- 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 311 

ing, but which has since grown up as one of its 
fruits. Ah'cady it has rooms fitted up and supplied 
with reading matter, at an expense of two thousand 
dollars ; has three mission schools under its care ; 
and, like most of these blessed organizations, which 
are so often the children or parents of revivals, is a 
warm, living power for good. 

But I must linger no longer over San Josd ; the 
picture of those thirteen days, if filled out, would 
present the varied experiences of some hundreds 
of young converts, and of a still larger number of 
older Christians who were quickened, and an entire 
city made glad and bright. 

Santa Clara, Cal. — Seven days were spent at 
Santa Clara, a city only four miles distant, sur- 
rounded with the same lovely scenery, and present- 
ing the comfortable look of a New England town. 

A good work was begun ; spiritual forces oper- 
ated rapidly ; the showers of grace fell, and seed 
newly sown or long slumbering burst into life, and 
gave considerable of a harvest even in those few 
days. The churches were revived, and made ear- 
nest in the Master's service, and a goodly number 
of the impenitent brought into the kingdom of 
Christ ; among them were men respected for their 
honorable lives, others hardened in sin ; w^omen, 
who seemed only to lack the one blessing which 



312 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

the loving Marj of Bethany chose for her part ; and 
children, some of pious parents, others from homes 
where Christ was not welcomed. 

The shortness of the time tended to prompt 
decision and resolute action. The work advanced 
so rapidly, under these quickening influences, that 
on the seventh and last day of my stay two hundred 
unconverted men, women, and children rose in the 
meeting, asking the prayers of Christians. 

Marysville, Cal. — With sorrow did I leave the 
work at Santa Clara, while God's people were trem- 
bling under such responsibilities ; but there was no 
other course, and commending them to God, I de- 
parted for Marysville, a flourishing city at the junc- 
tion of the Feather and Yuba Rivers, and near the 
terminus of one of the inland railroads. 

The rainy season was still pouring down its 
floods. The place, too, had been represented as 
one of uncommon spiritual inactivity and barren- 
ness. One of the pastors had written, "I dare not 
say there is any special religious interest man- 
ifested. ... I should say the indications are not 
yet even of the size of a man's hand. Right views 
of the Christian religion and of the character of 
Christians seem impossible to the generality of the 
people of this city. 

"The membership of the churches being small, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 313 

and working male members very few, we shall not 
muster in all a very strong force to aid you ; but 
there are a few faithful women and praying men 
who may be relied on, I think. . . . 

" I dare not say I am sanguine of great results. 
The truth has been plainly preaclied. . . . God 
is the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. I do 
not see, I confess, how the truth, ineffectual hereto- 
fore in converting, is to be made effectual just 
now, because coming from other lips. 

"And I say to you, in all candor, my desire for 
your coming arises from the same motive which 
leads a fond parent to send for an eminent physician 
from afar, with the hope that a beloved child may 
be saved through his skill, — resident physicians 
having failed. ..." 

Here, perhaps, the question again comes up, 
"How could you be willing to enter such a field, or 
undertake a case that was considered so hopeless ? " 
The natural heart says, " Such a step is presump- 
tion." But faith says, " It is reasonable — nothing 
is ever more reasonable than to take God at his ^ 
word ; the same power that brought together and 
clothed with life and beauty the dry bones, in the 
vision of Ezekiel, has promised to raise those who 
are ' dead in trespasses and sins,' wherever and 
whenever the means — no matter how feeble — are 
used; and he will keep his promise." 



314 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Faith was honored, as it always is. I have labored 
longer in other places, and seen many more conver- 
sions, but never among three hundred converts 
have I known so many mature business and profes- 
sional men. Those holding the highest positions 
in the city were among the first to seek the Savior. 
The mayor, the sheriff, several physicians, lawyers, 
and business men, came forward, at one time, under 
deep conviction, and knelt with the anxious. 

The whole city was stirred. The largest places 
were sought for the meetings ; but none were large 
enough. Says the " Marysville Appeal," " The 
largest religious congregation ever assembled in 
this city met at the Marysville Theatre, on Sunday 
evening, to hear Rev. Mr. Earle's sermon on the 
' Unpardonable Sin.' . . . The parquette, dress 
circle, stage, and gallery Avere filled, and hundreds 
present were without seats. ..." 

Only those who have borne an active part in 
such a revival can know how severe and wearing is 
the labor. I remember leaving the church, one 
afternoon, by the side door, for a quiet walk out- 
side the city, that I might, if possible, avoid seeing 
any one, so completely exhausted was I in body and 
mind. On my way, I saw a lady at the gate of an ele- 
gant residence, apparently waiting for me. I could 
not avoid meeting her, and as I came up, she said, 
" Mr. Earle, will 3^ou not come in and pray for 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 315 

me ? " Just then her sister crossed the street, and 
made the same request. Surprised, I said, " What, 
are you not Christians?" "We are not, but 
feel we must be." " Will you both give your 
hearts to Jesus, if I will go in and pray for you ? " 
' We will." And so, going into the house, we 
kneeled in believing prayer, and the beautiful 
parlor was honored with the presence of Jesus, who 
came and spoke peace to those sisters ; and I went 
to my room, more weary perhaps, yet after all glad 
that, while " a man's heart deviseth his way, the 
Lord directeth his steps." 

Placerville, Cal. — Seventeen days in that 
delightful field, each crowned with blessing ! and 
then on to Placerville, a city built up by the once 
rich placer diggings, and now again starting ahead 
under the impetus of quartz mining. 

W^ell do I recall our first meeting here ; the 
unpleasantness connected with this, as every other 
change from the scenes of a 'revival to those 
of a new place of labor, was at once dispelled. 
The Spirit seemed to shed down upon us the 
atmosphere of heaven. And at the close, the 
brethren and sisters gathered around me, grasping 
my hand heartily, and welcoming me, with 
kindling eye and smiling face, until I felt myself 



316 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

no more amoDg strangers, but in the presence of 
my Father's family. 

This good-will and s^^mpathy soon pervaded the 
city, so abundant were " the fruits of the Spirit." 

Here as elsewhere, though people in every con- 
dition, and from all the evangelical denominations, 
were working together, not a discordant note was 
heard during my entire stay. 

All other interests seemed absorbed in this one : 
merchants left their stores ; mechanics turned the 
key upon the shop-door ; miners left the mills and 
the mines ; women their homes ; children their 
play and their study, — and all, with one accord, 
sousfht the meetinofs. And back from these meet- 
ings many of them went, rejoicing in Jesus, to 
work for the salvation of their impenitent friends. 

Men who had been digging — not always with 
the best success — for " corruptible " treasure, now, 
at last, found contentment in the possession of an 
"inheritance incorruptible, and eternal in the heav- 
ens." Discouragements and losses were crowded 
out of mind by these satisfying portions God was 
so freely bestowing. 

Blessed religion, that can carry peace and happi- 
ness wherever it goes ! Christian, be earnest, 
seize every opportunity to carry its hopes to the 
homes of sorrow and desxDair ! Lift up disheartened 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 317 

men and women with the story of the cross, the 
promises of the gospel ! 

One whom God blessed here, writes, "My heart 
is so full of gratitude towards God for sending you, 
and you for coming among us, with such, O, such 
words of light and life, I cannot keep silence." 

The influence of this work was marked in the 
outward life of the whole community. That indi- 
viduality — that sort of personality, in which all 
cities share, and which differs in each, seemed trans- 
formed, and irradiated with the light and beauty 
of religion. 

O, how many cities and villages in our land need 
the implanting in their hearts of this germ of a new 
and better life ! There are places, pleasant in sit- 
uation and general appearance, where I should be 
loath to make my home, because they have become 
formal, and selfish, or given up to sin and amuse- 
ments, through excessive worldliness, or neglect of 
the inner life and power of religion. 

Writes one of the pastors, ." The people of our 
city feel under lasting obligations to you, and will, 
at least during the present generation, keep your 
memory green. ..." 

Friends in Placerville, I do not doubt your 
regard, nor can I forget you. Your pastors, your 
churches, your hundreds of rejoicing converts, your 
people generally, are warmly remembered ! 



318 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE WOEK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

PORTLAND, OREGON. — On into this great, 
ripe field, beyond the boundaries of Cali- 
fornia, and within those of Oregon, God s-v^emed 
plainly to call me. 

In the fall, while at San Francisco, a request 
came from the pastors in Portland, urging the im- 
portance of that city, and its need of God's reviv- 
ing word. Others followed ; to all, my replies were 
favorable, but not enough so, perhaps, to make my 
coming sure. Accordingly a good deacon made ii^^ 
his mind to lay the case before me in person. 
And so, leaving a large business, down the coast 
he came, a thousand miles, to where I was then 
laboring, presented anew the wants of his city, 
and informed me he was not going back until I 
went with him. 

Faithfully did he keep his word. Through the 
rest of my stay at Marysville, and during the entire 
meeting at Placerville, he remained with me, strong 
in faith, and unyielding in purpose, until at length 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 319 

the way was open for me to go on with him to 
Portland. 

On our way, while the steamer was taking on 
wood and water at Astoria, a sort of trading-post, 
solitary and alone, among the forests and mountains 
of the coast, I saw a man, with care-worn face, 
anxiously looking over the passengers, and at 
length fixing his eye upon me. In a moment my 
hand was grasped, and the man I had been watch- 
ing said, " Are you brother Earle, the evangelist?" 
Finding I was, he said, "I have been watching the 
boats in hopes to meet you, and have you preach 
here while the boat was waiting ; I can find no min- 
ister within a hundred miles who can come and 
cheer and help me. I feel almost alone." 

The people were soon called together in a hall, 
where he usually ministered. Many of the passen- 
gers left the boat and joined in the service. Jesus 
met us, and warmed our hearts with his love. 
Much feeling was manifested, and at the close an 
intense desire was expressed for me to remain, and 
it was almost impossible for me not to do so. My 
heart ached that I could not. 

Glad was the welcome at Portland. There were 
tears of joy that God had answered their prayers 
and sent them help. 

The importance of this city, as a field for Chris- 
tian labor, had not been overrated. It was the 



320 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

centre of business and travel for the north-western 
portion of our Pacific coast, as was San Francisco 
for more extensive regions in the southern limits, 
and was like a great heart, sending pulsations along 
the large arteries far into the interior, and along 
the coast. Work done for Christ in Portland was 
felt far and wide, and gave extraordinary oppor- 
tunity for shaping the future of an entire state. 

We felt that a great work must, and, because our 
Master was divine, would be accomplished. Like 
Basil of old, standing before the barred gates of the 
cathedral, and commanding them, in the name of 
Christ, to open to the waiting believers, there 
were Christians in Portland who feared not to 
knock at the strongholds of sin and unbelief, and 
demand their capitulation in the name of their Al- 
mighty Savior. Nor were we put to shame. The 
victory was on the Lord's side. 

My own labors were necessarily limited to seven- 
teen days. Yet at the end of that time the tri- 
umph for the cause of Christ was great ; sinners 
had been brought into his kingdom by hundreds ; 
Christians were awake and active, and an interest 
in the meetings manifest all over the city. 

" The Oregonian," one of the daily papers of 
Portland, says, ". . . It is remarkable that, go where 
you will, on the street, into business houses, down 
upon the wharf, among families, everywhere, the 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 321 

subject of ' Rev. Mr. Earle ' and the revival nieet- 
ings is sure to be broached and discussed. The 
talk is not confined to church-going people. Every- 
body is discussing the matter, each one from his 
own special standpoint. . . . 

"There can certainly be no complaint about a 
lack of interest in religion in Portland." 

The fruits of this interest were abundantly 
seen in the crowded attendance upon the meet- 
ings, the close attention and deep feeling there 
manifest. 

The inquiry meetings were places of great 
interest. The aged came, with but the remnant 
of a wasted life, and tremblingly, as they felt 
their earthly tabernacle dissolving, asked God 
to give them one of the " many mansions." In 
great mercy he heard them, pardoned their sins, 
and gave them the desire of their hearts. The 
little ones, just starting on the journey of life, 
came to Jesus, asking him to take them, and 
lead them safely through the dangers and duties 
of the way ; and tenderly they were received, 
and taken under his special watch-care and love. 
" Prodigal sons," feeding on husks, bethought 
them of the plenty in their Father's house, and 
arose, and came to him, and were welcomed with 
all that love which, through Jesus, forgives and 
blots out our sins. 
21 



322 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Christians confessed their unfaithfulness to their 
unconverted friends. A loved pastor visited a for- 
mer settlement, took many of the impenitent by 
the hand, and told them he had not done his duty 
to them when settled among them ; and then, with 
such holy peace upon his countenance, that one of 
them said, "Pastor, you don't look as you used to," 
urged them to seek an interest in the atonement ; 
and, through that simple sermon, men who had for 
years sat unmoved by his most studied preaching 
were convicted and converted. 

The " Pacific Christian Advocate " says of this 
work, "... The interest has increased from day 
to day. The evening congregations have crowded 
the Presbyterian church, the aisles and gallery be- 
ing filled, and very many persons have been com- 
pelled to stand during the services. 

" On Saturday evening last an opportunity was 
given for Christians to give, in a few words, a 
reason for being on the Lord's side ; and in less 
than an hour and a half over two hundred persons 
had spoken. . . . 

"On Sunday the congregation again occupied 
the large court-room, which was densely packed on 
the several occasions of worship. A deep solem- 
nity pervaded the entire audience. Christians were 
happy in the Lord ; and the falling tears, seen on 
every hand, gave evidence of penitence and con- 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 323 

tritiou of spirit on the part of scores of unconverted 
persons. . . . Very many have professed conver- 
sion. Believers have been wonderfully quickened 
and refreshed in spirit. 

"The members of the different churches have 
cooperated as brethren ; names have been forgot- 
ten ; all are one in Christ Jesus. We never wit- 
nessed greater harmony and clearer exhibitions of 
brotherly love. . . . 

"A wonderful calmness has characterized the 
services generally. . . . There has been nothing 
of vehemence, frenzy, or fanaticism. . . . 

" This glorious work in our midst has surely the 
seal of God's approbation. ..." 

Here I met a noble Christian woman, whose ex- 
perience taught me anew the preciousness of our 
religion : 

She was an old lady, the widow of a Baptist 
clergyman. God had given them eleven children, 
many, if not all of whom, had grown to years of 
maturity. 

Then, one after another, he had taken ten of 
them and the father to himself, — two or more 
while serving their country in the late war. 

Her last surviving child, a daughter living in 
San Francisco, urged her to come and live with 
her. She consented, sold her home in Ohio, took 
the proceeds, some three thousand dollars, and 



324 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

started. On the steamer, while sick, she was 
robbed of all she had, and left in poverty. 

On her arrival at San Francisco she found her 
daughter had been dead three days, and just 
buried. 

Thus was she bereft of all, and left alone and 
penniless among entire strangers. Her case, how- 
ever, becoming known, means were raised for her 
to start for Idaho, where she hoped to meet her 
daughter's husband. On her way Christian women 
in Portland became interested in her, and offered 
her a home among them. There I met her. She 
loved the meetings. In one of them she said, with 
a face calm and beautiful with holy peace and con- 
tent, " I don't think any one can have so much to be 
grateful to God for as I have." Then she recounted, 
not afflictions, but mercies received all through 
her life ; among them, she said, one of the greatest 
had been that all her children gave evidence of 
a preparation for heaven ; there she hoped soon to 
meet them and her loved husband, to part no more 
forever. And while the summons across the river 
waits, this seems the daily language of her heart : — 



" So I am watching quietly 
Every day. 
Whenever the sun shines brightly, 
I rise and say, 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 325 

' Surely it is the shining of His face ! ' 
And look unto the gates of His high place 

Beyond the sea : 
For I know He is coming shortly 

To summon me. 
And when a shadow falls across the window 

Of my room, 
Where I am working my appointed task, 
I lift my head to watch the door and ask 

If He is come ; 
And the angel answers sweetly 

In my home, 
* Only a few more shadows, 

And He will come.' " 

Blessed is the Christian's hope that thus sustains 
under such an experience of bereavement and af- 
fliction ! To Jesus, who gives it, be everlasting 
love and service ! 

Here I must leave the record of this work ; and, 
with the exception of the one from the pastors 
given in another chapter, turn my pen away from 
the many precious letters which tell of its blessings. 

Oregon City, Oeegon. — On my way to Salem, 
where I had promised to labor for a season, I was 
almost compelled — so urgent was the solicitation 
for help — to stop at Oregon City, " the Lowell of 
the Pacific coast," and whose magnificent water- 
power promises to make it worthy the comparison 
with that famous manufacturing city. 



326 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

Two days were here crowded with work for the 
Master, and crowned with his favor. 

Earnest, praying souls were here, — those bur- 
dened for Zion, whose hearts and lives ran sweetly 
in the poet's lines : — 

" I love thy kingdom, Lord, 
The house of thine abode, 
The church our blest Eedeeraer saved 
With his own precious blood. 

" For her my tears shall fall; 
For her my prayers ascend ; 
To her my cares and toils be given, 
Till toils and cares shall end." 

The desire for a revival was most intense ; hard- 
ly surpassed anywhere on the coast. The people 
were ready to work, and very pleasant indeed to 
work with. 

Yet I could not prolong my stay, and was, 
therefore, limited in my preaching to three sermons 
on the day of my arrival, three on the following 
day, and one early on the morning of my de- 
parture. 

Yet much good was felt to have been done in 
that short time. It seemed, in the spiritual life of 
that place, like the rain that falls on the dry and 
parched earth, purifying the face of nature, and 
reviving and quickening vegetation. Christians 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 327 

were greatly refreshed, and were led to a still more 
loving and active service. Deep feeling was 
awakened among the impenitent, some of whom 
found peace in believing. 

Salem, Okegon. — In this flourishing city — the 
capital of the state — the people quite generally were 
looking forward to the meetings with large desires 
and expectations. Nor was this feeling confined to 
the city and vicinity : persons were boarding there 
who had come twenty, thirty, and forty miles, 
solely to attend the meetings. Some thirty minis- 
ters, many of them weary with toil in large and 
difficult parishes, were present ; and very pleasant 
was it for us to labor with and for one another. 

There were those, among all classes, who were 
ready to do any work for Jesus. 

Men and women of the highest standing counted 
the lowliest service for him a privilege. 

Governor Woods brought to the work the influ- 
ence of his official position, as well as private char- 
acter as a Christian man. Well may the state feel 
proud of this man, who, instead of fearing to be 
known, in his high office, as a follower of Jesus, 
counts the badge of that discipleship the highest 
of all honors ! 

Business men took their employees into the 
counting-room, and, with closed doors, urged them 



328 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

to give their hearts to Jesus. At home men gath- 
ered the whole family together, from the drawing- 
room and the kitchen, and there read the Bible, 
spoke of Jesus, and prayed with so much unction 
from on high, that the service became more like an 
inquiry meeting. 

The tide of religious feeling swept over the entire 
city, carrying away the refuge of hardened sinners, 
moralists, infidels ; men, women, and children, of 
almost every condition of life and character found 
in our cities, daily fled, by scores, to the Ark of 
Safety. Blessed Ark! in it there is room for all, 
and safety for all from the coming storm of divine 
wrath ! 

Very large was the number of those who were 
enabled, by this meeting, to say to some Christian 
laborer, as a little boy wrote me, "If I meet you 
in heaven I shall take you by the hand and tell 
Jesus you were the means of bringing me to him." 

Thirteen days went by, leaving behind them, as 
the fruit of this work, rejoicing converts, working 
churches, happy homes, and great joy throughout 
the city. 

Other engagements prevented my remaining 
longer. The urgent calls from the entire coast for- 
bade my staying long in one place, and I was ac- 
customed to leave while yet the sun of the spiritual 
harvest-day was mounting the heavens towards the 
zenith. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 329 

I was now so woru it was plainly a necessity for 
me to leave the field so promisingly spread before 
me in Oregon and vicinity, and, after meeting 
engagements already made, return home for rest as 
soon as possible. 

On my way to Portland, where I was to take the 
boat for San Francisco, I preached once more at 
Oregon City. 

Reaching Portland, the interest seemed not to 
have abated. The meetings, for the one day I 
could remain, were something like the glad family 
reunions of our Ncav England " Thanksgiving." 
Young converts, and Christians longer in the way 
of life, told what great things God had done for 
them, and, through their labors, for others. 

On the next day the steamer for San Francisco 
bore me away from the warm-hearted people of 
Oregon, from the cities and villages among its 
majestic mountains and smiling valleys, and from 
those in neighboring regions where hands were still 
outstretched for help ; and while the ocean leagues 
were rapidly increasing between us, my thoughts 
still lingered among them, sorrowful, and loath to 
depart. 

And still, beloved friends, far away though you 
are, as I recall the sweet seasons of labor for the 
Master with some of you, and the wants of God's 
cause among others of your number, my heart 



330 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

warms with the old love towards you, and turning 
to the only sure Reliance, " I commend you to God, 
and to the word of his grace, which is able to build 
you up, and to give you an inheritance among them 
which are sanctified." 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 331 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

FOUE days upon the water, and we were once 
more in San Francisco. But not to tarry : 
on, through California meadows, fragrant with 
new-mown hay, and tempting with flowers and 
ripened fruits, up the steep and rugged Sierra 
Nevada Mountains, over the deep snows that crown 
them with perpetual winter, and down their western 
slope, wound my path, bringing me at length to the 
young and rapidly growing state of Nevada. 

Virginia City and Gold Hill, Nevada. — 
My labors here began with the united churches 
of Virginia City and Gold Hill, cities lying side by 
side, thriving and busy, and presenting — especially 
because of the position of the former — a field of 
rare importance. One of the pastors gave in his 
letters so graphic a description of the character of 
that city, and the feeling there, and one which 
presented so admirably some of the general features 
of the most important Pacific cities, it may be 



332 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

well to give free extracts : " . . .1 have longed, 
and plead, and prayed for some Pentecostal evan- 
gelist to come over and help us. No portion of 6ur 
land has been so wanting in faith and the power of 
the Spirit. The ministers and churches have never 
witnessed a great awakening on this coast, and 
have been unwilling to try God. Once aroused 
they will trust the source of their strength. . . . 

" The seed has been sown, and the time has 
arrived when the reaping should commence." 

In another letter he wrote : "... No city on 
this coast has such need of a spiritual blessing as 
Virginia. The great bullion centre of the Pacific, 
it calls together all classes — capitalists, mechanics, 
laboring and professional men. . . . 

" As a wealth-producing, instead of a mere 
trading community, it is the heart which gives the 
throbbing current of vitality to all financial and 
business interests. 

"Virginia has been equally the fountain of 
demoralizing power. . . . The Spirit of God has 
prepared the way and the time for its conquest, 
and we look with joy and hope to see the banner of 
Jehovah-Jesus floating in triumph over it. 

" Matters are evidently ripening for a work of 
real power and prevalence in this community. . . . 
Prayer for Virginia has been evidently answered. 
. . . The Episcopal clergyman — a truly evangel- 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 333 

ieal man — is in earnest to have your assistance in 
view of the evident presence of the Spirit. . . . 

"There are other indications in the earnest 
desires of leading representative business men, that 
show a special influence of the Spirit preparing the 
way for a harvest-work which will bring great glory 
to the Lord of the harvest. A leading mercha ; 
remarked, a few days since, that the mass of his 
class were never in a state of such readiness to be 
influenced and won to Christ. Some, whose busi- 
ness or professional engagements call them away, 
seem very sad in view of the possibility of not 
being able to attend on your services. 

"Many of these impressions are the result of 
appeals from relatives and friends in other cities, 
who have been subjects pf the Spirit's operations in 
connection with your labors, — many, the life-long 
subjects of prayer on the part of pious friends, and 
now looking for a work strong enough to carry 
them beyond the partial and unsuccessful endeavors 
of other occasions. . . . 

" All the ministering brethren, with God's people, 
and many of our first-class non-professing men, are 
intensely anxious for you to come immediately. . . . 

" The future of this metallic state must now be 
made, and will be more aftected by the mighty out- 
pouring of the Spirit on your visit than any and all 
other efi'orts. This city and state must be saved. 



334 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

We must all put our hearts and strength with yours 
in the hopeful endeavor. ..." 

As soon as the meeting here was opened, all that 
had been said of the interest, and more, was ap- 
parent; people of every name, age, and condition 
came, quiet and earnest, crowding every seat, aisle, 
and corner of the house of God. 

The busy, driving throng were moved by the 
Spirit's power. The Spirit reached men's hearts, 
in the mines, in the crushing-mills, on the street, in 
the nois}^ marts of trade, in their quiet homes, as 
well as in the sanctuary. 

In the latter place God honored most the faith 
and labors of his people, and there displayed the 
riches of his grace in daily bringing many into his 
kingdom. 

An editorial in one of the daily papers of Virginia 
City, "The Trespass," says, " This city never before 
witnessed so profound an interest in religion, as 
is now evident under a single week's labors of Kev. 
Mr. Earle. 

" Six services were held yesterday. All were 
thronged. The- preaching service of the morning 
w^as one of uncommon tenderness ; there was scarce- 
ly a dry eye in the house ; stalwart men were 
melted under the winning representations of the 
truth. 

" The evening sermon on the ' Unpardonable Sin ' 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 335 

reached a culmiuation of impressiveness which can 
be realized only by those who witnessed it. The 
church was crowded inside and out by assembled 
multitudes : no effort for excitement, no strange, 
startling statements ; but the simple, conclusive 
setting forth of the subject brought the whole 
mass, almost without an exception, to their feet, in 
a most solemn testimony of a fixed purpose to 
cherish the interest each felt in his personal 
salvation. 

" The community seemed to be there almost in a 
body ; and yet so thoughtful and quiet, the ticking 
of a clock could have been heard. 

" At the conference meeting, scores of men and 
women, heads of families, — husbands and wives, 
— came forward for prayer. 

" Many submitted to Christ on the spot. ..." 

Here, among these large-hearted people, occurred 
one of those never-to-be-forgotten episodes in the 
minister's life, which turn towards him the silvei^ 
lining of the cloud that may have gathered over him. 

It was in the very solid and substantial form 
of a silver brick, weighing some* thirty pounds, 
" Presented " — as was engraved upon its polished 
surface — "to Eev. A. B. Earle, by his friends in 
Story County, Nevada." 

I was then, and am now% unable to express my 
appreciation of this gift, which so generously rep- 



336 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

resents not only the business of these people, 
among whom this meeting was held, and the great 
wealth of their mines, but, especially and above all, 
the wealth and the greatness of their hearts ; yet 
my thanks — if I cannot express them as I would — 
are none the less warm and fervent in my heart. 

Through the kindness of "Wells, Fargo, & Co." 
the brick was forwarded to New York free of charge. 

Kind donors, each and all, may He who sits on 
the circle of the heavens, and "keeps count," repay 
you with that " loving favor, which is to be chosen 
rather than silver and gold." 

Carson, Nevada. — Seventeen days, filled with 
work from morning to midnight, and rich in heaven- 
ly blessings, went their rapid round, and I passed 
on to Carson, the capital of the state, the centre of 
much refinement and wealth, and not lacking in 
worldliness. 

.My home was with Governor Blasdell; a man 
to whose excellences as a statesman there is added 
the crowning glory and qualification of a Christian 
character. •» 

There was the same craving for special revival 
labors as elsewhere. People came long distances 
to attend the meetings, sacrificing money and the 
comforts of home, with the hope of receiving better 
treasure. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 337 

The blessings of mercy and love were bestowed 
abundantly on every hand, on all who came to the 
cross and submitted to Jesus. 

The multitudes that came, thronging the places 
of meeting, were sometimes moved, as one man, 
by the Spirit's power, and, when the oppor- 
tunity was given, would rise, with one consent, 
to express not merely an interest in the things of 
religion, but a purpose to share in its hopes and 
enjoyments. 

Christians came to be refreshed, and, having 
received the coveted blessing, almost invariably 
went out to work for Jesus, ■ — to such activity does 
the enjoyment of religion ever tend. And I rejoice 
that there is this working side so closely connected 
with the rejoicing side of our religion. Herein is 
its outward, aggressive, and progressive power. 

Christian, go work, not repiningly, but gladly, 
— thanking God every night that each day is a day 
of work ; be content, though here we toil, " there's 
sweet rest in heaven ; " here, the sowing and the 
reaping, — afterwards, the thanksgiving feast, in 
our Father's house on high. • 

" Beyond the gathering and the strowing, 

I shall be soon ; 
Beyond the ebbing and the flowing, 
Beyond the coming and the going, 

I shall be soon. 

22 



338 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 



Love, rest, and home ! 

Sweet hope ! 
Lord, tarry not, but come 



The work prevailed in every part of the city : 
where life was busiest and most" crowded ; in quiet 
avenues and suburbs ; in store and office, and in 
dwelling, — so that in every neighborhood and 
street, and almost in every family, there was the 
light of an earnest, loving, Christian life ; and thus 
that " leaven," of which our Savior spoke, was at 
work in all the city, leavening and transforming the 
outer, and much of the inner life of the city. 

Said one of the pastors, in a letter some time after 
the meeting, " Our town life has changed. ..." 

Governor Blasdell, with his peculiar advantages 
for discovering the real condition of the city, also 
wrote me, "... The good done is not confined to 
those who have united with the churches, /or a dif- 
f event spirit pervades the entire community. ..." 

This was my last meeting in Nevada, though the 
call was almost universal for me to remain, and the 
field one of great promise and attractiveness. 

Professors o£ religion and non-professors stood 
side by side to welcome me. Let me give a single 
illustration — the case of Austin, a city ranking 
high in importance and influence. Among the re- 
quests from this place was one signed by ninety- 
nine of its principal men, quite a large number of 



BRmOING IN SHEAVES. 339 

them in the legal profession. The clerk of the 
District Court, who circulated the petition, said he 
believed every man in the city would have signed 
it had there been an opportunity. The governor 
also urged the case, and even offered to accompany 
me. But I could not go. Such were the fields 
spread out before me through the state. 

Friends in Nevada, in heart I reach out my hand 
towards you, and grasp yours in loving greeting; 
and I beseech you, do not give up the work. Con- 
secrate to it the riches of your material resources, 
the activity of your hands, and the earnestness of 
your hearts, which you have already so well em- 
ployed in building up the temporal interests of your 
state. Then will you, by the blessing of God, in 
like manner secure that spiritual prosperity you so 
much desire. May God help and richly bless 
you all ! 



340 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

OVER the Sierras again ! Now riding, and 
now walking to lighten the stage ! One hour 
blinded with the drifting dust, and another, slowly 
toiliug through the drifted snow ! So was the 
twenty hours' ride from Nevada back to California 
diversified, until, at early morn, I found myself 
once more in the familiar streets of Placerville. 

And at seven and a half o'clock on that summer 
morning I had the pleasure of meeting the people 
again in one of the churches. Warm were the 
greetings. The whole service, — the attendance, 
the interest, the spirit manifested, — carried us 
vividly back to former meetings. I was preaching 
to the same ready hearers, listening to the same 
voices. In that brief hour we lived over the past, 
and, with brighter hopes and stronger faith, looked 
across the dark river, — 

" To the spring-embosomed shore, 
Where the sweet light shineth ever." 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 341 

Nevada City, Cal. — Only a few hours at 
Placerville, then on through Sacramento to Nevada 
City, — an active business place, the noise of 
whose manufactories and quartz mills greets the 
ear by day and by night. 

Prosperous as was the city in material things, in 
spiritual it was represented as very barren. One 
of the pastors wrote me, " . . . Nevada City is 
emphatically a hard place. . . . There is no time 
to entertain the blessed Savior. . . . Ordinary 
means are powerless to awaken the people here. 
If you can come, they will hear you. Some who 
never see the inside of a church are inquiring for 
you. . . ." 

But whatever the indifference!* had been in the 
past, the Spirit seemed to have dispelled it at the 
opening of this meeting. From the first there was 
no lack of interest. The largest places in which 
we assembled were filled with attentive hearers. 
The work was deep and thorough ; the foundations 
of men's hopes were tried as by fire. Some in the 
church saw they had been building " on the sand." 
One of the pastors was almost ready to assert, posi- 
tively, he had never known anything about religion, 
by experience, until that meeting. 

Sceptics threw aside their infidelity, and fled to 
the cross ; miners left their unsatisfying search after 
gold and silver, and sought with success enduring 



342 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

riches, and clasped to their hearts, with an ever- 
lasting hope, a title to boundless wealth, and a hap- 
py home above; and many a man, far away from 
loved ones, took up his hitherto wearisome, lonely 
round of daily toil with zest and pleasure, because 
now it was done for Jesus. 

Christians were at work as though they had never 
thrown ofi* the harness, or allowed the rust to gather 
on their armor. The converts, too, were a large 
company of active, rejoicing laborers. 

Grass Valley, Cal. — At the end of fourteen 
days duty called me away from that pleasant jSeld 
of labor to Grass Valley, a city four miles distant, 
presenting many ay:ractions, — a happy home, where 
one may be sure of w^arm friends. 

The city was waiting for the work, — looking for 
the opening of the " windows of heaven." The 
blessing seemed already on its way, and when it 
came there was abundance of work for all to do. 
Some faithful ones wxre ready for work ; but the 
great mass, as in every revival, had first to build 
over against their own houses before they could 
help others. 

The congregations crowded the church within and 
without, presenting an appearance something like 
those of John Foster, in England, who, it is said, 
" was accustomed to have two audiences, one with- 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 343 

in the church and the other without, listening 
eagerly through the open, windows." 

The hardest hearts and the most tender were 
alike touched by the Spirit. Men grown gray in 
sin, and children who nightly lisped that simple 
j)rayer of childhood, ''Now I lay me down to 
sleep," kneeled together among the anxious, 
seeking Jesus, and none were turned away because 
too young or too old : 

*' Over the city went the cry, 
'Jesus of Nazareth passeth hy ! '" 

and as it was in those days, when he was on the 
earth in human form, so now the multitudes thronged 
about him, and were healed by him, not indeed of 
bodily, but of spiritual diseases. 

The expressions and letters of these rejoicing 
ones are full of interest. A little girl, who, though 
young in years, had drunk deep of the cup of sor- 
row, Tyrote me a letter, containing this little ser- 
mon, and bit of experience : " Tell the little chil- 
dren about the Savior ; tell them how a young girl 
found him while she was the chief of sinners. Tell 
the girls, in your travels, not to wait till they get to 
be as old as I am. I have no father, and am starting 
out on God's mission alone ; no one to guide or 
take me by the hand, and say, ' Come, my daugh- 
ter, come to Jesus ; ' but I think Christ may bring 
me through. . . ." 



344 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

In liis own artless way, a little boy wrote me, "I 
want you to pray that I may grow up to be a true 
Christian. If I die before you do, I would like to 
hold a light in the window for you ; and if you die 
before I do, I should like for you to be the one to 
hold it for me. . . ." 

One who had long been a Christian wrote, "I 
thank God for a brighter sky, and stronger faith, 
through your preaching." 

Santa Cruz, Cal. — After twelve days, I left 
this wide and growing work, to meet an engagement 
of long standing with the churches of Santa Cruz, 
a favorite resort of those seeking rest and recreation 
at the sea shore, and not inappropriately called 
" the Newport of the Pacific." 

My stay was very limited, as the time for sailing 
homeward was near at hand. Yet, brief as it was, 
I was permitted to see a quickening of religious 
thought and feeling through the city. 

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus?" was the 
frequent inquiry. Some rejected him, others em- 
braced him. 

The clouds were lifted from many hearts and 
homes where Jesus was welcomed as a guest. 

O, how his presence lights up and beautifies any 
dwelling, be it lowly or elegant ! Then does it 
become truly a home. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 345 

" For aye, by day iind night, 
He keeps the portal ; suffers nought 
Defile the temple he has bought. 

And filled with joy and light." 

Those few days at Santa Cruz will ever furnish 
a pleasing retrospect ; not simply because of the 
attractions of that lovely watering-place, much as 
they were prized, but chiefly because the thanks of 
pastors and their people, and of rejoicing converts, 
assure me that Jesus* was honored in the awaken- 
ing of the careless, the salvation of souls, and the 
reviving of his love among his disciples. 

On my way thence to San Francisco, the people 
of San Jose had arranged for me to preach once 
more in their city. 

The church was crowded with familiar faces. 
The ties of Christian love seemed stronger than 
ever. 

The work had gone on ; new testimony was given 
of pardoning love ; converts had grown strong, 
working for Jesus. 

We parted sadly; yet most of us, as Christians, 
only for " a little while," — 

" A little while to tell the joyful story 

Of Him who made our guilt and curse his own ; 
A little while, ere we behold the glory, 
To gain fresh jewels for our heavenly crown." 

From San Jose I went on, directly through San 



346 BRINGING IN SHEA YES. 

Francisco to Oakland, where a service similar to 
the last had been appointed. 

It was a delightful reunion of hearts endeared in 
a common and holy cause. The peace that Jesus 
gives was with us. 

There was much to be told of God's dealings 
with us since our separation. 

The hour was much too short; but at its close 
we could look up and sing, — 

*' We shall meet beyond the river, 
Where the surges cease to roll." 

On the morrow I went back to San Francisco to 
take my leave of the Pacific coast, arrangements 
having been made by. the Ministerial Union for 
farewell services on that evening in the large and 
handsome church just built by Dr. Scudder's 
society. 

My heart was growing sorrowful, — the realiza- 
tion that my work there was drawing to a close 
could not be kept back. 

Ministers, brethren and sisters, young converts, 
and the impenitent, whom we had learned to love, 
were calling upon us, and expressing their sorrow 
at our departure. 

Sweet memories of the past mingled with sad 
thoughts of the regions still asking and entreating 
help. 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 347 

Nine and a half months before, I had landed 
on those shores, a stranger; sent for to work 
with the pastors and churches for the Savior, 
and not knowing what was before me. Some, 
timid and unbelieving, had whispered of failure, 
and consequent dishonor to Jesus : "The field is 
difficult ; men become indifierent to spiritual things 
in the search for gold ; the ablest pastors are there, 
and yet say they fail to reach the masses." True, 
abler pastors than were laboring on the Pacific 
coast could not be found; and had success de- 
pended on mere human power I should never have 
gone, for I could do no better work than the pas- 
tors. But as God had said, "Not by might, nor 
by power, but by my Spirit," I was ready to go in 
his name, believing his promises were as reliable 
on the Pacific coast as in the most favored cities of 
the Atlantic. 

And so putting my trust in God, I had obeyed 
the call, and entered on the part of the work as- 
signed me. 

The pastors had done their part. The results — 
some of which are here given — can only be known 
fully in eternity. 

And now, though that work was still going on, 
my part therein was done ; no more was I to share 
in its cares, its joys, and its sorrows. I was now 
going away, — no more, however, a stranger ; — 



348 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

tender chords of friendship bound me to unnum- 
bered hearts and homes, and everywhere I was 
welcomed as a brother beloved. 

We were now to meet — pastors and people of 
San Francisco, and of other places where I had 
labored — to recount God's doings on the coast, 
and utter the sad farewells. 

The hour came. Up to the courts of the Lord 
came his people, a victorious host. My heart 
was moved at the sight of such a general and hearty 
tribute to one whose services had been so imper- 
fect. I could only saj^ down in my heart, "Jesus, 
thou hast used me — as thou hast many others of 
these brethren — as a channel for conveying thy 
blessings upon these people : for the warm place 
this has given me in their hearts, I thank thee ; but 
the glory all belongs to thee ! " 

The exercises were tender and melting ; pastors 
and other brethren spoke out of warm hearts, I am 
sure, and then' kind words are not forgotten. 

Amid such scenes and crowding memories I 
preached my farewell sermon ; gathering into it 
some account of the work over the coast, which the 
brethren had desired to hear and I could find no 
other opportunity to give. 

The meeting closed ; but long we lingered, press- 
ing into the flying moments those last and sweetest 
expressions of friendship which live in the heart 
through life and beyond the grave. 



BRINGING IN SUE A VES. 349 

In the morning our friends again surrounded us ; 
this time, at the wharf where we were about to 
embark. Hurried but tender were the words, — 
quick but hearty the grasping of hands, — until the 
steamer loosened her fastenings from the Pacific 
shore, and bore us out over the beautiful bay to 
the sea. With tearful eyes we watched those loved 
friends, the receding city and shore, until at length, 
a dim speck in the distance, they faded from sight, 
ours, thereafter, only in memory's w^atch and ward. 

Our voyage w^as cheered by the company of 
several of our Pacific friends : among them Rev. 
William M. Martin, of Virginia City, — a man 
whose large heart, genial culture, and Christian 
nobility have forever endeared him to the people of 
Nevada; also, Eev. D. B. Cheney, D. D., of San 
Francisco, — an able pastor, and one whose rare 
executive ability had given him a wide and moulding 
influence on that coast, and who was now, with his 
family, reluctantly leaving his post, compelled by 
physical prostration to seek a change of climate. 

The thoughtful kindness and Christian care and 
courtesy of Captain Farns worth, the commander of 
our steamer on the Pacific, made for him a host of 
friends of those who, like ourselves, were so fortu- 
nate as to secure a passage in his vessel. 

Daily, at the twilight hour, our Father's watch- 
care was publicly acknowledged and invoked ; and, 



350 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

perhaps, never did such worship seem more pre- 
cious than there amid the dangers of the ocean. 

On a quiet Sabbath evening, under the light of 
August's full moon, our vessel glided to her wharf, 
and we stepped once more .on the familiar shores 
of New York, grateful for the care and blessing 
vouchsafed to us during our absence. 

Many who had bid us " God-speed " on our de- 
parture, had assembled in Strong Place Church, 
Brooklyn, to welcome us home ; but an unexpected 
delay of the steamer in quarantine prevented out 
reaching the city in time to meet them. 

On the morrow we hastened towards home and 
children ; and, at length, welcome came the cry, 
" Home at last ! " 

Very soon a reaction came on, — I had over- 
worked, — and for weeks I was under the physi- 
cian's care, in a very dangerous and suffering 
condition. 

With 4^he return of health, the brethren in New 
York and Brooklyn again arranged for a reception. 
We met in the same church where the farewell 
services had been held : but now all was rejoicing. 
Fervent and loving was the welcome. Some account 
of the work on the Pacific coast was given ; and, 
together, we praised God for his great goodness. 



BRING ING IN SHEA VES. 351 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

THE WORK ON THE PACIFIC COAST — CONTINUED. 

GO with me, in the swift, silent tread of thought, 
once more along my Pacific pathway. Bright 
and sunny it winds among the lands and cities of 
three states, a full five thousand miles, bridging 
almost a year, and linking two ocean-journeys of 
six thousand miles each. 

Scattered here and there over this route are 
eleven different denominations, many times that 
number of churches, and more than three hundred 
ministers, with whom I labored, receiving the most 
unbounded confidence and cooperation ; and at 
least one hundred thousand people who heard from 
me the glad news of salvation, as it fell from my 
lips in more than five hundred sermons, and which 
was again repeated and testified to by believers, 
in almost as many prayer and inquiry meetings. 
Here, among these people, it. was believed I was 
permitted to see five thousand souls born into the 
kingdom of Christ ; and a work not far behind this 



352 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

ill importance, iu the increase of religious fervor 
and activity among Christians. 

People who, after a long absence, have visited 
some of these cities since the meetings, have said to 
me, "I hardly knew the place; old acquaintances, 
who used to care only for pleasure or money- 
making, began at once to talk about religion, — 
everybody seemed ditferent." 

As this work was invariably carried on by the 
united efforts of different denominations, it perma- 
nently increased the love and sympathy between 
them. 

It was seen that differences of creed among 
Christians need not be walls of separation, and 
sources of distrust and envy ; that the Christian 
church, under whatever name, in its mission on 
earth, is a means, not an end, — the staging of the 
one great spiritual temple, whose foundation is 
Christ. 

Said Gen. R. , " There has been no revival like 
this since the days of Whitefield." 

The following extract from a communication 
made by a committee of ministers of Virginia City 
and Gold Hill, Nevada, repeats a sentiment often 
expressed in other places : " . . . Mr. Earle's labors 
have resulted in a lasting blessing to these cities, to 
the ministers, to the churches, to public and private 
morals, to families, to individuals, to children, and 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 353 

to straugcrs. He will never be forgotten by these 
people ; hundreds will bless him, in the New Jeru- 
salem, who, but for his labors, never would have 
entered there. ..." 

The following, from a pastor in San Jose, rep- 
resents a class of letters that reach me from the 
coast : — 

" San Jose, December 13, 1867. 

• " Dear Brother Earle : Your works and la- 
bors of love meet us in the prayer meeting, the 
Sunday school, and in social life. . . . Thus far 
not one of the converts here, so far as I know, has 
gone away backward. . . . No man need hope for 
a warmer reception, this side of heaven, than the 
people of San Jose would give you, if they had an 
opportunity. . . . You know something of my 
deep interest in your meetings in California. But 
really I had, at the time of your leaving, by no 
means an adequate idea of the greatness and glory 
of the work, even to human view. ..." 

None of us can take credit to ourselves in this 
work, — the way was so thoroughly prepared by 
the Spirit, and all was so plainly carried on by 
him. He seemed to have left no portion of the 
coast unreached by his special influences ; and the 
people, thus aroused, were ready to enter into the 
23 



354 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

meetings with that whole-heartedness so character- 
istic of them. 

With too little confidence in their own unaided 
efforts, they turned to me from every quarter, wlien 
I landed among them, as one divinely sent to do 
the work of an evangelist. 

The call w^axed louder during all my stay. From 
acll parts of the three states to which my labors 
were confined, and from Idaho, Colorado, and 
Washington, came the most urgent appeals, signed 
by representative men in the churches, irrespective 
of denomination, and by representative men out of 
the churches. One of the requests from Oregon, 
for instance, asking me to visit the county seats, 
Avas signed by the governor, by twenty pastors, 
and by men in other positions. 

And wherever I went, whatever the business of 
the people, whatever the weather, there was an 
enthusiasm and an interest in the meetings almost 
unlimited. 

The services were invariably quiet and orderly ; 
never was there the slightest, disturbance ; and the 
treatment shown me was always kind, cordial, and 
generous. 

There w^as no time or place for rest. Only a 
single day did I take for recreation or visiting the 
natural wonders with which the Creator has so 
richly famished that coast. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 355 

On my way to a meeting in the region of the 
" big trees " of California, I could not resist the 
temptation to make a pilgrimage of a few hours to 
those monuments of the past, — trees whose infant 
branches may have been stirred by winds that had 
hardly been hushed since they bore towards heaven 
the last incense from the altars of the Jewish 
Temple, or hurried Paul on his way to Eome ! 

There they stood in silent grandeur ! From a 
throne four thousand feet above the sea, they 
towered up beyond, towards the blue sky, three 
hundred and four hundred feet in height, and in 
circumference nearly one quarter as great ! 

I have listened to the thundering voices of 
Niagara; have gazed on mountain peaks forever 
buried in snow ; have looked upon the majestic, 
speaking ocean, bounded only by the blue sky ; — 
but among them all nothing has so hushed my soul 
into silence, with a sense of the majestic presence of 
the Infinite, and the place of his dwelling, as did 
these mighty, untitled peers of the forest, — these 
living witnesses of unnumbered generations of the 
dead. 

We have now glanced over this work, the mem- 
ories of which are among the sweetest of my life ; 
have together visited some of its scenes ; heard 
some of its records of joy, and gathered up some of 
its results : we have made but a flying visit, when 



356 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

it needed to have been like that of the tourist who 
spends days and weeks at each point of interest 
along his route, — so crowded with incident and 
thrilling with interest is the history of every day of 
this work, every meeting, and every place in which 
it w^as carried on. But we can no longer linger : and 
turning away from the retrospect, while standing, as 
it were, among the wonders and glories of Nature 
just mentioned, we could wish the place were some 
Pisgah, from w^hich we could, with reverent hand, 
lift the veil of the future, and look upon the full, 
garnered harvest of this work of grace, whose 
beginning only, we hope, is herein traced, — but 
such a vision is not for mortal eyes. 

But when " this mortal shall have put on im- 
mortality," — when time shall be no more, — then^ 
w^hat is unknown here will be known ; w^hat is un- 
finished here, finished ; and then we shall have an 
eternity in which to talk of these and all the 
wonders of redeeming love. 

To you, in these Atlantic States, whose hearts 
were with us in this work, I turn, in the name of our 
Pacific brethren, to thank you for -your interest and 
your prayers. 

You did " hold the ropes." Your messages over 
the " spiritual telegraph " reached the throne of 
grace, and thence those for whom they were sent; 
for them and for myself I heartily thank you. 



BRINGING IN SnE4yES. 357 

Some time before my departure from the coast, 
the Ministerial Union sent me the following kind 
letter : — 

" San Francisco, May, 1867. 

" Kev. a. B. Earle. 

" Esteemed Brother : At the regular meeting of 
the San Francisco Ministerial Union, the following 
preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted, 
and ordered to be sent to you. . . . 

"'TF^ereas, This Union, one year ago, entered 
upon the consideration of " our duty as gospel min- 
isters to the masses of this city, who are unreached 
by the gospel," which consideration resulted in call- 
ing to this coast Rev. A. B. Earle to labor as an 
evangelist ; and, 

''^^ Whereas, The labors of Mr. Earle have been 
most signally blessed of God, in promoting revivals 
of religion, and in leading sinners to the Savior ; 
ajid, 

" ' Whereas, There is the fullest reason to believe 
that the continuance of his labors here would be 
productive of great good to the cause of evangelical 
religion ; therefore, 

'''Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the 
guiding hand and abounding mercy of our heavenly 
Father in leading his servant hither, and in giving 
him so great success in his chosen sphere of labor, 
and that we express to Mr. Earle our full and cor- 



358 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

dial approbation of his labors in this city and on 
the coast. 

" 'Resolved, That we earnestly invite Mr. Earle 
to prolong his stay on the coast, at least another 
season, to labor with snch church or churches as 
may invite him in city or country, resuming his 
labors here as soon as may be after completing his 
present engagements, and securing to himself a 
suitable season of relaxation and rest.' 

"A. L. Stone, Chairman, 

"H. A. Sawtelle, Secretary,'' 

Brethren of the Ministerial Union, this letter, so 
full of confidence and good will, only adds another 
to your many and constant acts of kindness and 
cooperation. From the spirit of your call, from 
my knowledge of some of your number, who, like 
your chairman, — the former loved and honored 
pastor of Park Street Church, Boston, — are knowii 
and esteemed here at the east, I knew I might 
expect much from you : but so much as you were 
ever ready to do I had hardly anticipated. I 
thank you most sincerely for it all. I am still in 
the hands of the Master who sent me to you, and 
whatever his bidding in the future, I shall joyfully 
obey, and none the less so if it be to visit your 
coast again. 

And now, brethren and sisters on the Pacific 



BRINGING IN SEE A VES. 359 

coast, over the wide separating lands of a coutiuent 
my thoughts hasten, and linger among you. For 
your confidence in me, for your open hearts and 
homes, for your generous support, I thank you. 
For your willing minds and hands, for the prompt- 
ness with which you sprang to the work, for your 
union of hearts, for the honor you have added to 
the cause of our Savior, in the name of the church, 
and, above all, in the name of Christ, I thank you. 
Go on ; be not weary in well doing. It is for you 
to say where the work you have so well begun 
shall end. 

" 0, watch, and fight, and pray; 
The battle ne'er give o'er ; 
Kenew it boldly every day, 
And help divine implore." 

Young converts, you have a warm place in my 
heart ; I saw you when the burden of sin lay heavy 
upon you, and afterwards when Jesus had rolled it 
away, and you were at peace ; I saw you at work 
for the Master, and learned to lean upon you. 
Keep near Jesus ; visit no place, engage in no 
pursuit or pleasure where Jesus cannot go with 
you ; cultivate his love ; let that be the controlling 
power of 3'our life ; it will never lead you to do 
wrong. Trust Jesus to keep you; you cannot keep 
yourself : but he is able to keep your heart, and the 
streams that flow from it. 



360 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

" Man's weakness waiting upon God, 
Its end can never miss ; 
For men on earth no work can do 
More angel-like than this." 

My unconverted friends, you gave me a cordial 
welcome ; you were kind and generous ; you mani- 
fested a deep interest in the meetings, and seemed 
to stand almost on the threshold of the open door 
of mercy, yet you did not enter, and there I left 
you. The parting was a sad one to me ; not sim- 
ply because 1 loved you and prized your friendship, 
but chiefly because you had no hope in Jesus. I 
could better have borne the brief separation here 
had there only been the assurance that, at the 
judgment daj^ we should not be compelled to 
say " farewell " forever. O, how could I see any 
of you turning away " on the left hand ! " 

" The Spirit calls to-day 5 
Yield to his power ; 
0, grieve him not away — 
'Tis Mercy's hour." 

Brother ministers, — fellow-laborers in a work 
sometimes trying, often toilsome and self-denying, 
and yet with a bright side ever sweet and delight- 
ful, — above the noisy dashing of two oceans I 
seem, even now, to hear your bold, clear, unmis- 
takable trumpet-blasts from the walls of Zion. I 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 361 

believe still greater victories are before you. For 
the confidence you gave me, for your forbearance 
with my faults and mistakes, for your kindness, I 
thank you. For your unwearied labors during all 
the days and months of the work among you, the 
whole church honor and thank you. 

I have wanted to mention each of you by name, 
and tell the worth and character of each, and the 
affection I have towards 3^ou, but I have been com- 
pelled to forego that pleasure. 

Nowhere have I found more devoted and more 
able pastors, more genial companions, than among 
you ; and, though you labor under peculiar difiicul- 
ties, nowhere on our continent have ministers such 
opportunities for moulding states, and laying the 
foundations of social and civil life. 

With the completion of that bond of national life 
and strength, that route for a world's commerce and 
travel, — the Pacific Railroad, — your coast is des- 
tined to march with giant strides to one of the 
proudest and most influential positions on the face 
of the globe ; and for the teeming life, the new and 
manifold wants of that hastening period, you, under 
God, are to be the leaders towards a true Christian 
development and character. 

May God help you, and prepare you for the great 
and noble work ! 

Just now, here in my New England home, as my 



362 BRINGING IN SHEAVES, 

pen is finishing this sketch, I turn my eyes towards 
the far west, where the setting sun is hiding itself 
from the gathering darkness, behind its curtains of 
crimson and gold : and in heart I follow the waning 
light over the distant hills to the rich, warm shores 
of the Pacific ; and there, with my eye upon your 
faces, my loved friends, one and all, and my hand 
in yours, " I bow my knees unto the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in 
heaven and earth is named ; that he would grant 
you, according to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner 
man ; that ye may be able to comprehend, with all 
saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, 
and height, and to know the love of Christ, which 
passeth knowledge ; that ye might be filled with all 
the fullness of God." 

And as the last rays of the sun glimmer and die 
on the western horizon, I seem, with you, and with 
the long line of saints whom Christ has ransomed 
out of every nation and people, to catch the glad 
strains of the imprisoned apostle's ascription of 
praise : " Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding 
abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord- 
ing to the power that worketh in us, unto Him bo 
glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all 
ages, world without end. Amen." 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES, 363 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE BEST OF FAITH. 

CHRIST'S children, in different parts of the 
country, are earnestly inquiring how they can 
abide in the fullness of his love. The Holy Spirit 
is moving the whole Christian church in this direc- 
tion. Many think there is a place of rest here, 
where the soul can enjoy, without interruption, the 
fullness of Christ's love. They are seeking light on 
this subject ; they seem to be asking for " the old 
paths," " where is the good way," that they "may 
find rest to their souls," and, like Enoch, walk with 
God. 

In this hungering after Christ, this inward un- 
rest, this longing for the fullness of Christ's love, 
I see signs of great promise to the church and the 
world. Christ is saying to his church, " Come up 
higher ; " and she is coming. 

Christians in the past have felt the need of this 
blessing, and sought and found it. 

Rev. Dr. Payson says, "Were I to adopt the 



364 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

figurative language of Buuyan, I might date this 
letter from the land of Beulah, of which I have been 
for some weeks a happy resident. 

" The Celestial City is full in my view ; its glories 
beam npon me ; its breezes fan me ; its odors are 
wafted to me; its sounds strike my ears, and its 
spirit is breathed into my heart. Nothing sepa- 
rates me from it but the river of death, which now 
appears but as an insignificant rill, that may be 
crossed at a single step whenever God gives per- 
mission. 

"The Sun of righteousness has been gradually 
drawing nearer and nearer, appearing larger and 
brighter as he approached, and now he fills the 
whole hemisphere, poitring forth a flood of glory, 
in which I seem to float like an insect in the beams 
of the sun, exulting, yet almost trembling, while I 
gaze upon this excessive brightness, and wonder- 
ing, with unutterable wonder, why God should 
deign thus to shine upon a simple worm." 

After experiencing this great increase of faith. 
Dr. Payson cried out, in view of his former distress- 
ing doubts, and the great loss he had thereby sus- 
tained in his own enjoyment and usefulness, " O 
that I had known this twenty years ago ! " 

Mrs. Edwards, wife of President Edwards, says, 
"In 1742 I sought and obtained the full assurance 
of faith. I cannot find language to express how 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 365 

certain the everlasting love of God appeared : the 
everlasting mountains and hills were but shadows 
to it. My safety and happiness, and eternal enjoy- 
ment of God's immutable love, seemed as durable 
and unchangeable as God himself. Melted and 
overcome by the sweetness of this assurance, I fell 
into a great flow of tears, and could not forbear 
weeping aloud. 

" The presence of God was so near and so real, 
that I seemed scarcely conscious of anything else. 
My soul was filled and overwhelmed with light, and 
love, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and seemed just 
ready to go away from the body. This exaltation 
of soul subsided into a heavenly calm and a rest of 
soul in God, which was even sweeter than what 
preceded it." 

I could give a great cloud of witnesses, all testi- 
fying to the same thing : that is, after receiving 
evidence of regeneration, they felt a longing of 
heart for something higher — a fullness of love — a 
state of heart that would enable them to abide in 
Christ without interruption. 

This they sought and found, and many of them, 
after ten or twenty years, are still enjoying the 
same blessing with increasing sweetness. 

The anxious inquiry presents itself, " How can I 
reach this state of rest in Christ ? " 

You must believe such a state is attainable. To 



366 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

ask and search for a thing you do not believe cap 
be obtained, is solemn mockery. " What thing 
soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye 
receive them, and ye shall have them." 

The first thing, then, to be settled in your own 
mind, is this : " Do I fully believe Christ has made 
provision for me to abide — without interruption — 
in the fullness of his love ? " 

If one doubt remains in your mind about this, 
you will not obtain it, however anxious or earnest 
you are in your ejfforts. 

This blessing, as well as all others, must be 
received through Jesus. There is no other name or 
way through which any soul can find rest. " If ye 
shall ask anything in my name, I will do it ; " that 
is, any promise, with Christ's name on it as the 
indorser, the Father will honor. So that every 
promise in the Bible is "yea and amen in Christ 
Jesus." Nothing is too good or great for the Father 
to give you for the Son's sake. "How shall he not 
with him also freely give us all things ? " Jesus is 
the pledge of all you need, or that Infinite Love 
can bestow. 

You must come to Jesus by a simple, childlike 
faith, believing just what he has said. When he 
says to you, "Come unto me, and I will give you 
rest," your immediate reply should be, — 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. ' 367 

" Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, 
Because thy promise I believe, — 
O Lamb of God, I come, I come." 

This rest will be found only when you seek it 
with an undivided heart. 

" And ye shall seek me and find me, when ye 
shall search for me with all your heart." 

You will need to trust God in all things, tempo- 
ral and spiritual. 

If he hides his face from you, and all appears 
dark, you need not be troubled ; 

" God is his own interpreter, 
And he will make it plain." 

If you have no emotion, no joy, no light for the 
present — no matter, trust God in the dark. Let 
your faith look to the other side of the cloud for 
the " silver lining." 

" Behind a frowning providence 
He hides a smiling face." 

Having consecrated all to Jesus, take nothing 
from the altar; but expect him to give you the 
evidence of your acceptance, w^ithout one doubt, 
just when and as he pleases, with or without emo- 
tions, whether you realize any change in your feel- 
ings or not. 

Do not stagger at the promise : " Though it tarry, 



368 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

wait for it ; because it will surely come, it will not 
tarry;" that is, it will not tarry a moment after 
you are prepared for its reception. 

This rest is retained by faith alone — not by faith 
and works. Christ needs no assistance from you 
or an}^ one else, to keep your heart in perfect peace, 
but asks you to leave it all to him, and says, " Only 
believe." Then you can say, " I know whom I have 
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep 
what I have committed unto him against that day." 

Be faithful and watchful ; but do not depend on 
either. Your own promises and resolutions, so far 
as keeping you in the love of Christ is concerned, 
are ropes of sand. " We are kept by the power of 
God, through faith, unto salvation." Christ says 
to you in this matter, " Only believe." Your faith, 
like Abraham's, is counted to you for righteousness. 

If your faith in Christ is unwavering, nothing 
can interrupt your peace and rest. The darkness 
and the light are both alike to faith. If your wa}^ 
seems dark and hedged up for the present, you need 
not be troubled. 

*' Faith is the brightest evidence 
Of things beyond our sight ; 
It pierces through the veil of sense, 
And dwells in heavenly light." 

There is one way by which we may know when 
we are resting in Christ by faith. It is when we 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 369 

are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, which is " love, 
joy, peace, loDg-suffering, gentleness, goodness, 
faith, meekness, temperance." If we do not bear 
this fruit, we are not abiding in the fullness of 
Christ's love, no matter what we profess. It is 
well for every one to test himself by this rule. 

I am very sorry to find persons claiming to live 
near the Savior, who manifest a harsh, unkind, and 
even a fault-finding spirit ; and in some instances 
their lives are unchristian. In this way Christ is 
greatly dishonored, and many anxious Christians, 
who long to get up higher and abide in Him, are 
hindered and kept back. A Christian, sweetly rest- 
ing in Christ, will have great patience ; will speak 
kindly even to those he thinks are wrong ; will ha^e 
warm and glowing love for Christ and his people, 
and will walk in the light. If he lacks these things, 
he is not right, and Jesus says, "Friend, come up 
higher." 

He may have severe trials of his faith, but will 
say, "It is the Lord, let him do what he will." 

His emotions may be changeable. The wind 
may ruffle the surface-water, but the deep fountain 
beneath is calm and peaceful. 

He, no doubt, will keenly feel the trials that 

remove loved ones from him, yet will say, "The 

Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away ; 

blessed be the name of the Lord." Christ's own 

24 



370 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

finger takes up the bleeding veins severed by these 
afflictions. 

This state will prevent gloomy and distressing 
fears about the future. It teaches the Christian 
the great lesson : In whatever situation Providence 
places him, therewith to be content. The fear of 
death is greatly removed; he knows he has not 
djang grace now, and does not need it, but believes 
Christ's word, "As thy days, so shall thy strength 
be." He sweetly rests in Jesus, expecting grace 
and help just when needed. 

**Lord, give us such a faith as this, 
And then, whate'er may come, 
We'll taste, e'en here, the hallowed bliss 
Of an eternal home^" 

My own Experience.— About ten years ago, I 
began to feel an inexpressible hungering and long- 
ing for the fullness of Christ's love. I had often had 
seasons of great joy and peace in Christ, and in his 
service. I had seen many precious souls brought 
ftito the fold of Christ. I fully believe I then 
belonged to Christ — that my name was in his 
family record. 

I loved the work of the ministry, but had long 
felt an inward unrest, a void in my soul that was 
not filled. Seasons of great joy would be followed 
by seasons of darkness and doubt. If I had peace, 
1 feared it would not continue, and it did not. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 371 

Mauy anxious Christians came to me, complain- 
ing of the same thing. How could I help them on 
that point, when I did not know how to get right 
myself? I took them to the seventh chapter of 
Eomans, and there left them, saying, " O, wretched 
man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the 
body of this death?" I was there myself, and 
supposed I must live and die there. 

In this state I was exposed to severe temptations 
and attacks of the enemy. I made strong and 
repeated resolutions that I would be faithful, but 
could not keep them. Then I sought and found 
forgiveness again, and was happy, and said, " O, 
that I could always enjoy such peace ! " But it was 
soon disturbed by some word, or act, or heart- 
wandering. 

Thus I lived on for many years : now happy in 
my Christian experience, and now unhappy ; some- 
times doubting and fearing, and sometimes resting. 
God gave me success in winning souls, and granted 
me many hours of sweet communion with my 
Savior, for which 1 am truly grateful ; still I was 
unsatisfied — I wanted an uninterrujpted rest and 
peace. 

I often read those precious words, uttered by our 
Savior, " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in 
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done 
unto you." I longed and prayed to be there, but 



372 BRING mo m SHEAVES. 

knew not the way. O, that some one had then 
taught me the way of rest in Jesus ! 

I frequently met Christians who claimed sinless 
perfection; many of them were, indeed, a better 
type of Christians than ordinary professors ; but 
they did not seem perfect to me. The rest in 
Jesus, for which I longed, was still unfound. 

At last I felt that the question for me to settle 
was this, — Can an imperfect Christian sweetly and 
constantly rest in a perfect Savior, without con- 
demnation ? 

This I revolved in my mind for a long time. I 
read, as far as I could, the experiences of those who 
seemed to live nearest to Christ. I searched the 
Scriptui-es for light, and asked such as I believed 
had power with God, to pray with and for me, that 
I might be led aright on this great question. At 
length I became satisfied that Christ had made pro- 
vision for me and all his children to abide in the 
fullness of his love without one moment's in- 
terruption. 

Having settled this, I said : — I need this ; I long 
for it; I cannot truly represent religion without 
it, and Christ is dishonored by me every day I live 
without it. 

I, therefore, deliberately resolved, by the help of 
my Eedeemer, to obtain it at any sacrifice ; little 
realizing how unlike Christ I then was, or how 
much would be needed to bring me there. 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 373 

I first procured a blank book, which I called my 
" Consecration Book," and slowl}^ and solemnly, on 
my knees, wrote in it the following dedication: — 

" Akdover, February 10, 1859. 

" This day I make a new consecration of my all to 
Christ. 

"Jesus, I now and forever give myself to thee; 
my soul to be washed in thy blood and saved in 
heaven at last ; my whole body to be used for thy 
glory ; my mouth to speak for thee at all times ; my 
eyes to weep over lost sinners, or to be used for any 
purpose for thy glory ; my feet to carry me where 
thou shalt wish me to go ; my heart to be burdened 
for souls, or used for thee anywhere ; my intellect 
to be employed at all times for thy cause and 
glory. I give to thee my wife, my children, my 
property, all I have, and all that ever shall be mine. 
I will obey thee in every known duty. 

A. B. E." 

I then asked for grace to enable me to carry out 
that vow, and that I might take nothing from the 
altar. I supposed, with this consecration, entire as 
far as knowledge went, I should soon receive all 
that my longing heart could contain ; but in this I 
was sadly mistaken. 

I think I then came nearer to Christ. But as 



374 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

clearer light began to shine into my heart, I saw 
more of its vileness. 

I find in my journal the following : — 

♦'Boston, December 22, 1859. 

" The last three weeks have been weeks of great 
searching of heart. I never had my heart so 
searched before. I detect pride, envy, self-will, 
a great deal of unbelief, my love to the Savior to be 
very weak. Yet I have consecrated all to Christ, 
and cannot withdraw it from the altar. O, can a 
worm so vile be like Christ? I know it is possible ; 
and if I am ever to be like him, why not now% while 
I am where I can do good in leading others to 
him?" 

I felt like a patient who, though in the hands of 
a skilful physician, groans and writhes under the 
severe treatment which has been found necessary in 
order to save his life. But my constant prayer 
was, " Be thorough with me, Jesus ; be thorough." 
Many a discouraging day followed this consecration 
and these heart-searchings. I grew weak, and 
small, and unworthy, in my own estimation. 

At times my joy and peace were almost un- 
bounded. Sometimes I felt that I grasped the 
prize so earnestly sought, but w^as shown some hid- 
den sin in my heart which greatly humbled and 
distressed me. Howi'ully I realized the words of 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 375 

J. B. Taylor, who said, while seeking this blessing, 
" Notwithstanding my profession that I had crucified 
the world, the flesh, and the devil, I have had 
keener sorrows for indwelling sin than I ever ex- 
perienced before conversion. 

"O, the distress which I have felt on account of 
pride, envy, love of the world, and other evil pas- 
sions which have risen up and disturbed my peace, 
and separated between God and my soul ! " How 
many have realized all this, and even more, in their 
struggles after abiding rest in Jesus. 

One sin that troubled me most, and was the hard- 
est to overcome, was a strong will, — a desire, and 
almost a determination, to have my own way ; — 
and thus — even in regard to little things, or any 
little injury or supposed wrong — to speak without 
reflection, and sometimes severely, even to those I 
knew were my friends; to say, "I will do this," 
and "I will not do that." 

This I clearly saw must be overcome, if I would 
become a consistent and useful Christian. As I 
could not do it myself, I gave it over to Jesus : he 
could give me grace to overcome even this. But I 
found I gave nothing into the hands of Jesus, ex- 
cept by a simple faith. My faith was very deficient 
and weak : to believe the promises fully was not 
so easy. I believed the theory of religion, but to 
have my heart grasp the reality, without wavering. 



376 ' BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

was more difficult. Yet I found my faith growing 
stronger, until at last I came to believe just what 
God has said in his word. I found first the blade 
of faith, then the ear, and then the full corn in the 
ear. No rest could be obtained until I could be- 
lieve just what God had said, and trust him fully. 

I felt that I must have in my heart something 1 
did not then possess. Before I could be filled with 
the fullness of Christ's love I must be emptied of 
self. O, the longing of my heart for w^hat I then 
believed, and now believe, to be sweet and constant 
rest in Jesus ! I believed I should receive it, and 
thought it was Bear. 

I soon found it easier to resist temptation. I 
began to trust Christ and his promises more fully. 

With this mingling of faith, desire, and expecta- 
tion, I commenced a meeting on Cape Cod. After 
re-dedicating myself, in company with others, anew 
to God, I was in my room alone, pleading for the 
fullness of Christ's love, when all at once a sweet, 
heavenly peace filled all the vacuum in my soul, 
leaving no longing, no unrest, no dissatisfied feel- 
ing in my bosom. I felt I knew that I was ac- 
cepted fully of Jesus. A calm, simple, child-like 
trust took possession of my whole being. I felt 
that if I had a thousand hearts and lives, I would 
give them all to the Savior ; my grateful love to 
him found expression in those glowing lines, — 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 2>11 

" O, for a thousand tongues to sing 
My dear Eedeemer's praise ; 
The glories of my God and King, 
The triumphs of his grace ! " 

Then, for the first time in my life, I had that rest 
which is more than peace. I had felt peace before, 
but feared I should not retain it ; now I had peace 
without fear, which really became rest. 

That night I retired to sleep without one fear, — 
much like a tired babe resting in its mother's arms. 
I believed Jesus had received me, and would keep 
me. I had no fear of losing that happy state ; the 
fear which had so disturbed my rest was taken 
away. I seemed in a new w^orld ; my burden was 
gone, my cup was full, and Jesus was present with 
me. I felt not only that I was forgiven and 
cleansed, but that Jesus would hereafter keep me ; 
that I should not have to help him keep me, as I 
had been vainly trying to do, but could trust it all 
to him ; that now I had two hands instead of one 
to work with. I was a Christian before. I loved 
Christ, and his people, and his cause ; yet did not, 
could not, trust myself without fear in his hands. 
But now I seemed all at once to lose a great burden 
of care and anxiety. 

I found that much of my care had been not only 
useless, but a hinderance to my success, rendering 
my work in Christ's cause much harder and less 



378 BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 

pleasant to myself. I had been like the traveller 
with a heavy burden on his back, who, when in- 
vited by a friend to ride in his carriage and rest 
himself, took his seat with his burden still weighing 
him down. When asked to lay his burden off 
while riding, and rest, he replied, " O, sir, you have 
been so kind to let me ride, I will carry my burden 
myself." I had not learned to lay my burden on 
Jesus while toiling in his vineyard, which would 
have rendered my work comparatively light and 
easy. 

The Bible seefned like a new book. I had, as it 
were, read with a veil before my eyes. All through 
the week I labored on without fear of losing the 
long-sought, and now so highly-prized, blessing. 
I believed, in the hour of temptation, Christ 
would keep me, and I should not lose that hajDpy 
state. 

This change occurred about ^ve o'clock on the 
evening of the second day of November, 1863 ; and 
although I never felt so weak and small, yet Jesus 
has been my all since then. There has not been 
one hour of conscious doubt or darkness since 
that time. A heaven of peace and rest fills my 
soul. Day and night the Savior seems by me. 
Preaching is a luxury, — it is a glorious work. 
In prayer Christ does not seem far away, but 
near and with me. The Bible still appears like a 



BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 379 

new book. All Christians are dearer to me than 
ever before. All earthly ties are more precious 
to me; — home, friends, all blessings, temporal or 
spiritual, are dearer and brighter than ever before. 
That terrible fear and torment about death is in a 
great measure gone. Thought is quickened. My 
views of truth are much clearer than before. 
I have come to believe just what God says. I 
can trust him, and go forward, even "with sealed 
orders." 

My success in leading souls to Jesus has been 
much greater than before. My joy in telling the 
world of Christ and his goodness constantly in- 
creases. And as I realize more and more the great- 
ness of his love, and the perfection of his character, 
my swelling heart often cries out, — 

*' O, could I speak the matchless worth, 
O, could I sound the glories forth. 
Which in my Savior shine ! " 

O, that I had an angel's tongue, or could in some 
way express to others the love I bear to Jesus I 

" I'd sing the characters he bears, 
And all the forms of love he wears, 
Exalted on his throne." 

If any one should ask if this is " sinless perfec- 
tion," I would answer, No, by no means. I feel 



380 BRINGING IN SITE A VES. 

very imperfect and weak, yet I am enabled to 
believe and trust Jesus ; and he is so near that I 
have realized, in several instances of little inconsis- 
tencies, that before the dark wave reached my soul 
to produce condemnation, Jesus said, "Peace, be 
still." 

Temptation is presented, but the j)ower of it is 
broken. I seem to have a present Savior in every 
time of need ; so that for several years I have 
done the trusting and Jesus the keeping ; it is 
much easier now to resist temptation than it was 
before. 

I feared the crosses would be much heavier if I was 
nearer Jesus ; but they are much lighter now ; so 
that I can sum it all up in a few words, and call it, 
not perfection, not a sinless state, but rest, — the 
rest of faith, — a calm, sweet resting all with 
Christ. This state of heart is reached only by 
faith, and retained only by faith — not by helping 
Christ take care of us, but by trusting him to do 
it all. 

Does any one ask how an imperfect Christian can 
rest in a perfect Savior, and feel no condemnation ? 
I answer. It is by Christ's meeting all the demands 
of the law for us, in such a way that the soul 
realizes no condemnation. 

Suppose you had a great many debts coming due 
every day — a constant sourc© of grief and pain 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 381 

because you were unable to meet the demands, 
though they were just. After a long season of dis- 
tress and worrying, a kind, rich friend says to you, 
"I know all about your indebtedness, and your in- 
ability to meet it, but if you will come to my house 
and trust all to me, I promise you undisturbed rest 
as long as you choose to remain with me ; no one 
shall trouble you." You fully believe and trust 
him, and go to his home. 'A short time after reach- 
ing his home, you hear his bell ring. He goes to 
the door. Some one inquires if you are in the 
house ; your friend replies that you are, and asks 
what is wanted. The creditor at the door says, " I 
have a bill of fifty dollars I would like to have him 
settle." The bill is promptly paid by your friend, 
without disturbing you. Thus your rich friend 
continues to meet all just demands brought against 
you during your stay with him. He knew, before 
he made the ofier, just what he was undertaking 
to do, and that he had all needed means to do 
with. 

Do you not see how you could rest, and yet 
know that your rich friend was daily meeting de- 
mands that you were entirely unable to pay, while 
his means were unbounded ? 

This rich, precious friend is Jesus, who said to 
me long ago, when I was worrying over my inability 
to keep myself, or atone for one sin, " Come unto 



382 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

me, and I will give you rest." "All power in 
heaven and in earth is given into my hands." "I 
came into this world to help just such sinners as 
you are." But I did not, and seemingly could not, 
believe it, and continued to worry. But, at last, I 
was enabled to believe just what Jesus said, and 
trust him entirely, and at once he gave me rest^ — 
not fear — not torment, — but sweet, constant, 
abiding rest. 

Thus, while I believe and trust Christ entirely, 
nothing wavering, he gives me rest — not Jesus 
and my faithfulness, but Jesus alone, gives me 
rest. So that Christ is made, at this very point, to 
those who trust all to him, wisdom, righteousness, 
sanctification, and redemption. Christ meets at 
first, and all along the vvay, the demands of the law 
against us, on the simple condition that we fully 
believe, and trust all to him. 

In this way, an imperfect Christian can, by a 
firm, unwavering faith, rest in a perfect Savior 
without condemnation. "There is, therefore, now 
no condemnation to them who are in Christ 
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the 
Spirit. In this way unwavering faith is counted 
(as it was to Abraham) for perfect satisfaction for 
every claim the perfect law of God brings against 
the soul. So that we are saved from eternal death 



BRINGING IN SHEA VES. 383 

by faith, and saved now from fear and condemna- 
tion by faith ; and tiiose who thus believe do (not 
shall) enter into rest. 

The difference between his experience before 
and after this rest in Jesus, is this : Before, he 
was complaining, and confessing his departures 
from Christ ; now, he is joyful, and sweetly rest- 
ing in Christ : before, when he was happy, he was 
fearful he should lose his happiness ; now, he is 
very happy, and has no fear of losing it. The very 
steps by which he has reached this state show him 
how to retain it. 

There is no change in his doctrines or opinions 
— his sentiments were never dearer to him. The 
difference is in his faith — he has let go of all but 
Jesus, and relies on him alone for peace and rest, 
and is not disappointed. 

Reader, are you sweetly resting in Christ by 
faith? 'If so, make an effort to lead all around you 
there ; but if not, let me urge you, at once, without 
dismissing the subject from your thoughts, to give 
yourself to the Savior anew, and do not cease your 
importunity until you are filled with all the fullness 
of his love. 

You- then are just prepared to grow in divine 
things. The roots of your faith can strike deep 
into the soil of truth and love, and need not be dis- 



384 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. 

tiirbed again until transplanted into heavenly soil, 
there to continue to grow and flourish in the garden 
of the Lord. 

" Then shall I see, and hear, and know, 
All I desire or wish below, 
And every power find sweet employ 
In that eternal world of joy." 



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